Busan: The UAE Ministry of Culture and the Fujairah government are actively working to include Wadi Al Wurayah in UNESCO’s World Natural Heritage List. They are currently participating in the 48th session of the World Heritage Committee of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) in Busan, Republic of Korea. This effort is aimed at securing the nomination of Wadi Wurayah National Park for this prestigious recognition.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the nomination reflects the environmental and cultural importance of the park, emphasizing its unique biodiversity and geological characteristics on both regional and international scales. The nomination application, showcasing the outstanding universal value of Wadi Wurayah’s natural heritage, was submitted to UNESCO for evaluation. The Fujairah Environment Agency, in collaboration with the Cultural Heritage Department of the Ministry of Culture and Youth, prepared the official nomination document for submission.

Wadi Wurayah National Park, covering 220 square kilometers, is managed by the Environment Agency – Fujairah. Established in 2009, it holds the distinction of being the first and largest mountain reserve in the region. It was designated a Ramsar site for wetlands of international importance in 2010 and was registered under the UNESCO Man and the Biosphere Reserve in 2018, underscoring its significance and the active role of the local community in environmental protection and wildlife conservation.

The park is home to more than 860 species, including 208 plant and animal species. Among these, some are rare, such as Blanford’s fox, the wild orchid, and Gordon’s wildcat, while others were discovered and recorded for the first time globally within the reserve.