Wadi Wurayah becomes UAE's first UNESCO-listed natural heritage site
The inscription recognises Wadi Wurayah's exceptional natural significance
Fujairah: Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah has been inscribed on UNESCO's World Heritage List, becoming the first site in the UAE to be recognised for its Outstanding Universal Natural Value and the country's third World Heritage property.
The decision was announced during the 48th session of UNESCO's World Heritage Committee in Busan, South Korea, following the committee's review of the UAE's nomination dossier.
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The inscription recognises Wadi Wurayah's exceptional natural significance, including its rich biodiversity, unique geological formations and role as one of the Arabian Peninsula's most important freshwater ecosystems.
The designation marks a milestone in the UAE's environmental conservation efforts and reflects the country's long-term commitment to protecting its natural heritage in line with international standards.
It also strengthens global recognition of Wadi Wurayah as a site of outstanding ecological importance while supporting ongoing efforts to preserve its ecosystems for future generations.
The UAE delegation, led by the Ministry of Culture and the Government of Fujairah, attended the World Heritage Committee session to follow the nomination process.
The reserve, already recognised as a protected area of national importance, is home to diverse plant and animal species, including several that are rare or threatened, and has long been regarded as one of the country's most significant natural landscapes.
Where is Wadi Wurayah National Park?
Wadi Wurayah National Park is located in the Emirate of Fujairah within the Hajar Mountains overlooking the Gulf of Oman. It is one of the UAE's most significant natural landscapes, featuring valleys, waterfalls and perennial freshwater springs, alongside rugged mountain terrain and a rich diversity of habitats.
Why did UNESCO choose it?
UNESCO recognised the site for its Outstanding Universal Natural Value, based on several exceptional characteristics, including:
More than 1,099 recorded species, comprising 883 animal species and 216 plant species.
Habitat for at least 10 globally threatened species.
Home to around half of all terrestrial mammal species and nearly half of all terrestrial reptile species recorded in the UAE.
One of the world's largest and best-preserved exposures of ophiolite rock formations, offering rare insights into sections of the Earth's ancient oceanic crust and upper mantle.
What does World Heritage inscription mean?
Inscription on the UNESCO World Heritage List recognises a site as having Outstanding Universal Value to humanity. It places the site under internationally recognised conservation and management standards overseen by UNESCO, helping safeguard it for future generations while enhancing its scientific, environmental and tourism significance.
Which UAE sites are on the UNESCO World Heritage List?
Following Wadi Wurayah's inscription, the UAE now has three World Heritage properties:
The Cultural Sites of Al Ain, inscribed in 2011.
Faya Palaeolandscape in Sharjah, inscribed in 2025.
Wadi Wurayah National Park in Fujairah, the UAE's first natural World Heritage Site.
Why is Wadi Wurayah especially important?
Wadi Wurayah is regarded as one of the Arabian Peninsula's most important ecological reserves. It provides a refuge for rare wildlife, including the Arabian tahr and the caracal, as well as unique insects and plant species found only in limited areas.
Its exceptional biodiversity and geological features make it a valuable natural laboratory for researchers, conservationists and scientists from around the world.
