Royal Commission for AlUla gets government status from IUCN
The Royal
Commission for AlUla (RCU), which is leading the transformation of a vast
region in north-west Saudi Arabia into a premier global hub for cultural and
natural heritage, has been officially granted government status.
The International
Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), which conferred the status upon
RCU, welcomed the organization into the IUCN family. This recognition aligns
with RCU’s mission to conserve nature and wildlife, establishing nature
reserves, restoring ecosystems, and reintroducing native species to protect
fragile habitats and biodiversity.
Although IUCN government members are typically state entities, RCU’s membership is a reflection of its unwavering commitment to environmental conservation. As a member, RCU gains access to the expertise of IUCN’s 18,000 specialists and will also share its findings from AlUla with a global audience at IUCN’s annual meetings and congresses.
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Amr
AlMadani, CEO of RCU, expressed: “This milestone is a testament to AlUla’s
potential in natural heritage and wildlife conservation. It underscores the
growing international recognition of RCU’s ambitious project and its role in
global conservation. We are excited to deepen our collaboration with IUCN,
employing cutting-edge methods to restore AlUla’s ecosystems.”
Abeer AlAkel, Chief of Special Initiatives and
Partnerships at RCPU, added: “Partnerships like the one with IUCN are vital to
our strategy. They allow us to expand our expertise, build scientific
alliances, and co-develop initiatives that will benefit the people of AlUla. We
look forward to a long-term relationship with IUCN.”
Founded in 1948, the IUCN has had Saudi Arabia as a member since 1981. It is recognized as the global authority on biodiversity and natural resource conservation. In recent years, the IUCN has led initiatives across the Arabian Peninsula, working to integrate key conservation tools, like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, into local conservation planning.
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In 2021, RCPU and IUCN strengthened their
collaboration by signing a three-year cooperation agreement aimed at developing
a Protected Area Network across the 22,561 sq km region surrounding AlUla. This
agreement focuses on improving governance, supporting protected areas, managing
wildlife restoration, and fostering education and capacity-building efforts for
sustainable resource management.
Dr. Bruno Oberle, Director General of IUCN,
commented: “It is a pleasure to welcome RCPU to the IUCN family. Their membership
will bolster IUCN’s presence in the region and enhance our collective ability
to manage natural resources and promote environmental sustainability.”
AlUla is known for its rich biodiversity, ranging from vibrant wildflowers that bloom after seasonal rains to acacia thickets and iconic species such as the Nubian ibex and Arabian Leopard. However, human activities like overgrazing and water depletion have led to habitat loss and fragmentation. In response, RCPU, established in July 2017, is working to restore and safeguard the region’s cultural and natural treasures.
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By adhering to the principles outlined in the
AlUla Sustainability Charter, and in collaboration with IUCN and other
partners, RCPU is committed to a socially responsible and innovative approach
to preserving both cultural and natural heritage.
Dr. Hany El Shaer, Director of the IUCN Regional Office for West Asia, concluded: “We are proud to have RCPU join IUCN. Their membership adds significant value to our West Asia office and will support the conservation of nature in Saudi Arabia and across the broader region.”
Source: https://www.ttnworldwide.com/
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