The Ibex Reserve in Saudi Arabia has become the first protected area in the country to be included on the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas.
Managed by the Saudi National Center for Wildlife (NCW), the reserve is now among fewer than 80 sites worldwide to meet the IUCN’s rigorous standards for sustainable management.
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The inclusion highlights the reserve’s effective governance, scientific expertise, community involvement, and commitment to conservation. “This recognition enhances the Ibex Reserve’s international standing and drives forward our national conservation efforts,” said Dr. Mohammed Qurban, CEO of NCW.
Established in 1988, the Ibex Reserve is located in the Tuwaiq mountains and was created to protect the threatened ibex population, which has since significantly rebounded.
The reserve also supports other vulnerable species and diverse vegetation. NCW manages 11 protected areas in Saudi Arabia and is working to expand conservation efforts, aiming to meet the UN’s 30×30 biodiversity goals by 2030.
Source: First Saudi Protected Area Achieves IUCN Green List Status
