Aqaba: The Arab Regional Center for World Heritage, headquartered in Bahrain, has inaugurated a specialized workshop at the Aqaba Marine Reserve Visitors Center.
The workshop, entitled “Natural and Mixed World Heritage Sites in the Arab Region: The Implications of Registration and Collaboration with the IUCN Green List,” is designed to foster understanding and cooperation in the field of heritage conservation.
This workshop, conducted in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature – Regional Office for West Asia, brings together participants from Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Mauritania, Egypt, and Jordan.
Over the course of three days, attendees will engage in discussions on the preparation of nomination files for World Heritage sites.
They will also explore the potential for synergies between World Heritage sites and the IUCN Green List Initiative, which recognizes excellence in managed protected areas.
Ayman Suleiman, Commissioner of the Environment at
the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority, emphasized the strategic importance of hosting the workshop in Aqaba.
He noted the region’s rich biodiversity and its underrepresentation in terms of international protected area declarations.
Suleiman remarked that of the approximately 1,199 sites listed on the World Heritage List, only a small fraction represents Aqaba, and even fewer are classified as natural or mixed world heritage areas.
He emphasized the success of the Green List Initiative for Protected Areas, known for its standards in good governance, effective management, and positive outcomes in nature conservation.
Highlighting the significance of the workshop, Suleiman indicated that listing Aqaba sites on the World Heritage List would underscore their importance and ensure their protection for future generations.
He also pointed out that the Aqaba Authority is currently preparing to nominate the Aqaba Marine Reserve for the World Natural Heritage List, following royal directives, and emphasized the
Authority’s commitment to this goal, especially in light of its success in having the Rum Natural Reserve registered as a mixed (natural-cultural) site on the World Heritage List.
Source: Jordan News Agency