RIYADH, 6 February — The National Commission for Wildlife Conservation and Development (NCWCD) has signed a memorandum of understanding with the International Union for the Conservation of Nature for setting up a thematic regional center in Riyadh.
The idea is to develop protected areas in the member countries of West/Central Asia and North Africa (Wescana) through close coordination of their conservation plans.
The MoU was signed on behalf of NCWCD by Dr. Abdul Aziz Abuzinada, secretary-general of NCWCD, and Dr. Achim Steiner, director-general of IUCN, on Monday.
Dr. Abuzinada, who is also the vice president of IUCN, said the global agency recognizes Saudi Arabia’s efforts through NCWCD, which during the last 15 years, set up 15 protected areas spread over 84,000 square kilometers. This would be doubled in due course in line with the international standards.
Under the terms of the MoU, the NCWCD will become a focal point for the development of protected areas in the Wescana region as part of a unified strategy. As the thematic center for protected areas, NCWCD will coordinate with that region by providing technical assistance for implementing specific programs.
