The Royal Commission for the Development of Imam Turki bin Abdullah Reserve has officially joined the Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program under the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), becoming the first Saudi royal reserve to receive this prestigious international recognition.

This achievement marks a significant milestone reflecting the Kingdom’s steadfast commitment to protecting its natural environments and enhancing its global presence in biodiversity conservation and sustainable development, in line with the goals of Saudi Vision 2030.

His Royal Highness Prince Turki bin Mohammed bin Fahd bin Abdulaziz, Minister of State, Member of the Council of Ministers, and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Royal Commission for the Development of Imam Turki bin Abdullah Reserve, said: “This international recognition is not just an environmental achievement but a global testament to the Kingdom’s leadership, under the guidance of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques King Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud and His Royal Highness Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud – may God protect them – in presenting an exceptional national model for managing royal reserves, combining the heritage of the place with innovative protection methods and consolidating the concept of sustainable development.”

He added that this achievement embodies years of institutional work and integrated strategic planning that considered environmental, societal, and economic dimensions equally.

He affirmed that the directives and support from the Crown Prince had the greatest impact on the progress and prosperity of the reserves sector in the Kingdom.

The Man and the Biosphere (MAB) Program, established in 1971, focuses on achieving sustainability in plant and animal biodiversity and environmental diversity by setting strict scientific standards and requirements applied to natural reserves worldwide. The program also aims to enhance the quality of interaction between humans and their environment, monitor changes in the biosphere caused by human activities, and mitigate their negative effects.

This international recognition crowns the reserve’s fulfillment of a set of global standards, including sustainable management of areas with high environmental value, supporting environmental education programs, empowering the local community to contribute to protection and awareness, and innovating economic opportunities based on local resources, reflecting the success of national efforts to balance ecosystem conservation with community development and local economy stimulation.