Saudi Arabia Launches Integrated Development Management Plan for Northwest of the Kingdom

The Board of Directors of the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Royal Reserve Development Authority, chaired by His Royal Highness Prince Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince, announced the launch of the Reserve’s Integrated Development Management Plan (IDMP).

The plan is a comprehensive roadmap in line with global standards, covering the environmental, economic, social, tourism, and cultural aspects of the 24,500 sq km Reserve, which includes 15 distinct ecosystems, ranging from mountain ridges to coral reefs in the northwest of the Kingdom.

The plan enables the efficient and effective management of the Reserve. It establishes key guidelines for restoring and conserving wildlife in line with the latest global standards, including guiding species reintroduction plans through modern technologies, and setting a framework for developing and enhancing the ecotourism ecosystem.

This includes Red Sea Global’s AMAALA tourism development, which is located within the Reserve.

The Reserve also features in four sites on the UNESCO World Heritage Tentative List for the Kingdom and is aiming to become the world's most famous heritage tourism destination for environmental conservation, whilst achieving the necessary balance with the needs of the local communities.

The Integrated Development Management Plan follows the completion of intensive studies to determine the historical and current state of the Reserve’s environment and the steps needed to restore the ecosystems, flora and fauna to the state it was in a century ago.

The Reserve is home to 15 distinct ecosystems, ranging from mountain ridges, through life giving wadis to the coral reefs of the Red Sea, creating an exceptional level of biodiversity.

Twenty-three historically occurring species have been selected for reintroduction, 16 of which are extinct within the Reserve’s borders, four are Critically Endangered, and three are Vulnerable according to IUCN listings, including the iconic Arabian oryx, Arabian leopard, and cheetah.

An extensive habitat restoration project supports this wildlife reintroduction program, aiming to protect and conserve the Reserve’s 400 plus native plant species.

The Reserve aims to become a tourism destination that offers visitors a diverse terrestrial and marine experience while simultaneously ensuring the protection of its ecosystems and biodiversity.

The Kingdom is committed to working with the international community to address the world’s environmental challenges.

Key activities such as reducing carbon emissions with the aim of reaching net-zero by 2060, continuing to build the Kingdom’s renewable energy infrastructure, increasing reforestation, and enhancing biodiversity, including wildlife and species reintroductions, are underway.

The launch of the IDMP contributes to the Kingdom's leading position in wildlife reintroduction and conservation, as well as the strategic objectives of the Royal Reserves Council, which focus on protecting wildlife, afforestation, enhancing ecotourism, and providing job opportunities.

The adopted objectives of the Royal Reserves support the Kingdom's efforts in sustainability and environmental conservation, contributing to the Saudi Green Initiative's goal of protecting 30% of the Kingdom's terrestrial and marine areas by 2030.