Oman hosts international workshop to review Green List accreditation for protected areas

Muscat :The workshop aims to introduce and promote global standards of excellence in protected area management through the IUCN’s internationally recognized Green List system. This system assesses protected areas across 17 criteria and 50 indicators encompassing governance, planning, management, and conservation outcomes.

His Excellency Dr. Abdullah bin Ali Al Amri, Chairman of the Environment Authority, explained that Oman’s pursuit of Green List accreditation is a culmination of continued efforts to improve nature reserve management and reflects the Sultanate’s commitment to biodiversity protection, aligned with global best practices and the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals.

He emphasised that this step is part of Oman’s broader vision to raise the efficiency of protected area management, engage local communities in environmental stewardship, and secure international recognition for its conservation efforts.
Engineer Sulaiman bin Nasser Al Akhzami, Director General of Nature Conservation at the Authority, highlighted Oman’s unique biodiversity, which includes over 15,000 species of wild and marine life – many of which are rare or endemic to the region. He noted that the country’s diverse ecosystems, from deserts and mountains to coastal and marine environments, are represented in its 31 officially designated nature reserves.

He confirmed that the Environment Authority has already submitted nomination files for several of these reserves to be considered for Green List status. Among them are Al Saleel Nature Reserve, which has advanced through the initial assessment phase, the Arabian Oryx Reserve, and the Daymaniyat Islands Nature Reserve.

Eng. Natalia Boulad, Programme Manager of Protected Areas, World Heritage and Biodiversity at the IUCN, praised Oman’s efforts and noted the importance of strong partnerships in achieving effective conservation. “Adopting the Green List standard in Oman is an ambitious and commendable step toward ensuring quality conservation outcomes. We look forward to seeing these efforts recognized globally,” she said.

The workshop includes visual presentations, interactive sessions, and knowledge exchange among participants from different countries. Discussions will focus on the process for preparing nomination files, meeting accreditation standards, and enhancing community involvement in natural resource protection.

Participants will also review the three key stages required to achieve Green List status: the application phase, the nomination and field evaluation phase, and the final accreditation, during which reserves receive official certification from the IUCN.