Latest news with #SaudiGeoparksInitiative
Arab News
05-05-2025
- Science
- Arab News
UNESCO delegation visits North Riyadh Geopark after global network listing
RIYADH: UNESCO's Assistant Director-General for Natural Sciences, Lidia Brito, visited North Riyadh Geopark on Sunday, praising the destination for preserving both nature and history. The UN Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization designated North Riyadh Geopark in April as part of its Global Geoparks Network, which aims to protect geological heritage sites and promote sustainable development. Hussam Zuhair Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, and Hamoud Alnughaymishi, director of the Science Sector at the Saudi National Commission for Education, Culture, and Science, accompanied Brito during her visit. They explored significant geological features at the North Riyadh Geopark, including the Abu Shaddad Cave and the Edge of the World cliff. They also stopped to explore Ghamra Village, known for its natural adventure routes on the outskirts of Riyadh. Brito said that the North Riyadh Geopark showcases the natural and cultural diversity of Saudi Arabia, and will enhance eco-tourism in the Kingdom, the Saudi Press Agency reported. In April, UNESCO designated North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark as part of its Global Geoparks Network. The Kingdom hopes to register 13 other sites on UNESCO's network, the SPA added.
Gulf Insider
18-04-2025
- Science
- Gulf Insider
UNESCO Adds Salma Geopark, North Riyadh Geopark To Its Global Network
North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations UNESCO has recognized Saudi Arabia's geological diversity by adding the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark to its global network — marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts. This prestigious designation opens new frontiers for geological tourism, scientific research, and international collaboration. Hussam Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, emphasized that this achievement transcends mere classification. It represents a strategic vision deeply aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of establishing the Kingdom as a global leader in environmental sustainability. 'From the beginning, we aspired for these geoparks to be more than geological sites — they are living platforms that narrate Earth's stories, bearing witness to the passage of time and reflecting the rich natural diversity we possess,' Al-Turki told Arab News. Each geopark boasts a unique geological character. North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations. Salma Geopark in Hail presents a dramatic landscape of rare volcanic formations, including calderas, lava fields, and volcanic craters that chronicle millions of years of geological activity. Beyond tourism, these geoparks represent promising research platforms. Universities and scientific centers, both locally and internationally, now have unprecedented opportunities to study Earth's layers and natural phenomena. Al-Turki noted that the project adheres to the highest global standards, with UNESCO conducting rigorous evaluations before approving the sites. This classification sends a clear message to the world: preserving geological heritage is not a luxury but a developmental commitment and an investment in a green future. 'With additional sites under development, Saudi Arabia is redefining humanity's relationship with the Earth,' Al-Turki concluded.
Arab News
17-04-2025
- Arab News
UNESCO adds Salma Geopark, North Riyadh Geopark to its global network
RIYADH: UNESCO has recognized Saudi Arabia's geological diversity by adding the North Riyadh Geopark and Salma Geopark to its global network — marking a significant milestone in the Kingdom's environmental conservation and sustainable development efforts. This prestigious designation opens new frontiers for geological tourism, scientific research, and international collaboration. Hussam Al-Turki, director of the Saudi Geoparks Initiative, emphasized that this achievement transcends mere classification. It represents a strategic vision deeply aligned with Saudi Vision 2030's goal of establishing the Kingdom as a global leader in environmental sustainability. 'From the beginning, we aspired for these geoparks to be more than geological sites — they are living platforms that narrate Earth's stories, bearing witness to the passage of time and reflecting the rich natural diversity we possess,' Al-Turki told Arab News. Each geopark boasts a unique geological character. North Riyadh Geopark offers visitors fossilized coral reefs dating back over 150 million years, alongside limestone caves and mountain ranges that unveil geological transformations. Salma Geopark in Hail presents a dramatic landscape of rare volcanic formations, including calderas, lava fields, and volcanic craters that chronicle millions of years of geological activity. Beyond tourism, these geoparks represent promising research platforms. Universities and scientific centers, both locally and internationally, now have unprecedented opportunities to study Earth's layers and natural phenomena. Al-Turki noted that the project adheres to the highest global standards, with UNESCO conducting rigorous evaluations before approving the sites. This classification sends a clear message to the world: preserving geological heritage is not a luxury but a developmental commitment and an investment in a green future. 'With additional sites under development, Saudi Arabia is redefining humanity's relationship with the Earth,' Al-Turki concluded.
