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Asharq Al-Awsat
12-05-2025
- General
- Asharq Al-Awsat
Saudi Arabia Joins Ramsar Convention on Wetlands
Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has officially joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands of International Importance (Ramsar), underling its commitment to conserving environmental wealth and natural habitats that support rich biodiversity, promote environmental sustainability, and boost the national economy. Saudi Arabia's accession underscores its strong support for global efforts to preserve ecosystems in terrestrial and coastal environments, especially as challenges related to water, climate, and biodiversity become increasingly interconnected. This step reflects the NCW's broader efforts in leading a comprehensive development plan that supports research, monitoring, and conservation initiatives. NCW CEO Dr. Mohammed Qurban stated: 'The conservation of wetlands directly contributes to ecological balance, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. The Kingdom's accession to the Ramsar Convention is a strategic step that will reap both environmental and economic benefits.' The center will implement the convention across Saudi territory in cooperation with relevant stakeholders to protect the Kingdom's natural assets. It also contributes to national and international conservation efforts by developing and executing plans, policies, and legislation. The NCW is working to identify suitable sites for inclusion in the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and to ensure their effective management. Wetlands are more than natural landscapes; they are vital ecosystems rich in biodiversity and natural resources. They host 40 percent of the world's species and plant life, store 30 percent of global carbon, and serve as essential sources of water, food, medicine, and energy. Wetlands also support agricultural production, regulate climate, provide ecotourism opportunities, and serve as critical stopovers for migratory waterbirds traveling between continents.
Saudi Gazette
12-05-2025
- General
- Saudi Gazette
Saudi Arabia joins Ramsar Convention to protect wetlands and biodiversity
Saudi Gazette report RIYADH — Saudi Arabia, represented by the National Center for Wildlife (NCW), has officially joined the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands, marking a major milestone in its efforts to conserve environmental resources, natural habitats, and biodiversity while advancing environmental sustainability and supporting the national economy. The Kingdom's accession reflects the NCW's leadership in developing comprehensive plans for wetland protection, including support for scientific research, monitoring, and ecosystem conservation. The center is coordinating with national partners to implement the Convention's provisions across the country. By joining Ramsar, Saudi Arabia aims to identify and manage sites eligible for the Ramsar List of Wetlands of International Importance and ensure their effective stewardship in line with international standards. Wetlands are among the world's richest ecosystems, hosting around 40% of Earth's species and storing 30% of global carbon. They are vital for water, food, and medicine supply, energy production, climate regulation, agriculture, and ecotourism. They also serve as essential stopovers for migratory waterfowl crossing continents. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, said: 'Wetland conservation directly impacts ecological balance, biodiversity protection, and sustainable development. Saudi Arabia's accession to the Ramsar Convention is a strategic step that contributes to enhancing environmental and economic benefits.' He reiterated the center's commitment to global best practices in wetland conservation and rehabilitation, in alignment with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 and the Saudi Green Initiative. The Ramsar Convention, signed in 1971, is the world's oldest international environmental treaty. It provides a global framework for national and cross-border cooperation in the conservation and sustainable use of wetlands and their resources. It covers various wetland types, including lakes, marshes, oases, estuaries, mangroves, coral reefs, and artificial sites such as reservoirs and rice fields.
Saudi Gazette
30-04-2025
- Science
- Saudi Gazette
Wildlife Center completes biodiversity survey in the Red Sea
Saudi Gazette report JEDDAH —The National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has implemented a comprehensive scientific plan to survey biodiversity and monitor its health along the Saudi Red Sea coast, as part of its ongoing efforts to protect the marine environment and support the sustainability of its natural resources. The plan was based on the environmental sensitivity map prepared by the center. Coastal sites were classified according to environmental sensitivity levels, with priority given to highly sensitive areas. Field operations were conducted to comprehensively survey biodiversity at 64 coastal sites, monitoring the health status of biological communities, including fish and invertebrates. Changes in sea surface temperatures were monitored across 37 sites using advanced measuring devices to monitor the impact of physical changes on marine ecosystems. Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the NCW, emphasized that implementing this plan falls within the center's commitment to the goals of Saudi Vision 2030 to promote environmental sustainability. He noted that environmental surveys and monitoring the health status of biodiversity constitute a vital scientific tool for detecting early indicators of environmental change and disturbances, and supporting the formulation of effective policies to protect natural Qurban explained that these efforts have contributed to providing accurate scientific data that supports programs to protect biodiversity and sustain marine ecosystems, and enhances the center's ability to accurately and early assess environmental added that the project's full reliance on national competencies reflects Saudi Arabia's drive to build leading local capabilities capable of managing its environmental resources efficiently and NCW continues to implement its field programs throughout the year, as part of its commitment to protecting marine and terrestrial biodiversity and enhancing Saudi Arabia's regional and international standing in the areas of environmental protection and sustainability.
Arab News
28-04-2025
- General
- Arab News
Mangrove scheme to plant 3m trees in Jubail
RIYADH: The National Center for Wildlife and the Saudi Arabian Mining Co., known as Maaden, have launched an initiative to plant 3 million mangrove trees in the Jubail Marine Protected Area. It supports the goals of the Saudi Green Initiative and Vision 2030 to enhance coastal vegetation and preserve biodiversity, the Saudi Press Agency reported on Monday. The project aims to rehabilitate degraded habitats and strengthen the role of mangrove trees in carbon sequestration, as they are among the most efficient plants in storing carbon dioxide. This helps combat climate change, protect coastal areas from erosion and provide safe environments for marine species reproduction, the SPA reported. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of the National Center for Wildlife, highlighted the organization's commitment to protecting ecosystems and expanding vegetation cover. These efforts align with the Saudi Green Initiative's target of planting 10 billion trees, including more than 100 million mangroves along Saudi coasts, reinforcing the Kingdom's global environmental leadership, he said.
Leaders
18-04-2025
- Science
- Leaders
Saudi Arabia, UK Collaborate on Marine Biodiversity Projects
Saudi Arabia's National Center for Wildlife (NCW) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the UK's National Oceanography Center (NOC) in Riyadh to cooperate on marine biodiversity projects, according to the Saudi Press Agency. The pact seeks to enhance cooperation on maintaining the sustainability of marine environments and monitoring the health of sharks, whales, dolphins, turtles, dugongs, mangroves, seagrass, and other species. According to the MoU, both entities will conduct several studies to identify the impacts of human activities on marine ecosystems through advanced technologies designed to precisely track these activities and mitigate their potential harm. Furthermore, both centers will organize training workshops tackling how to protect marine and coastal wildlife and their habitats. The NCW's CEO Mohammed Qurban said the agreement would help converse wildlife, protect ecosystems, as well as restore ecological balance. 'Global collaboration is essential to achieve NOC's vision of gaining a deeper knowledge of the ocean to help every living thing on our planet flourish,' the NOC's Deputy Director Alex Rogers said. From rich tropical coral reefs and seagrass beds to deep-sea ecosystems, the seas around the Kingdom boast a wealth of biodiversity. 'The collaboration between NCW and NOC will generate critical data on the distribution of species and their ecosystem functioning,' Rogers added. The partnership stands as a testament to the Kingdom's commitment to boosting environmental development through the Saudi Vision 2030, the National Environment Strategy, and the Saudi Green Initiative. Related Topics: KAUST Secures Japan Prize for its Advanced Marine Ecosystem Research Saudi Arabia Discovers Remains of Marine Creatures 56 Million Years Old Saudi Arabia Launches First Coastal Tourism Insurance to Boost Marine Activities Short link : Post Views: 24
