Fujairah Environment Department attends UNESCO World Heritage Committee meeting in Busan

Fujairah’s Environment Department is taking part in the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan as the UAE delegation backs a nomination for Wadi Wurayah. The meeting matters because the committee is reviewing whether the protected area should be added to UNESCO’s World Heritage List.

Why it matters: - The UNESCO review could move Wadi Wurayah closer to World Heritage status, raising its global profile and strengthening long-term conservation efforts. - The nomination highlights the site’s environmental and cultural value, along with its biodiversity and geological importance. - Fujairah’s participation also reinforces the UAE’s push to deepen cooperation with global institutions on nature protection and sustainable development.

What happened: - Fujairah Environment Department joined the UAE delegation at the 48th UNESCO World Heritage Committee session in Busan, South Korea. - The department is participating alongside member states to the convention and leading scientists and experts in natural and cultural heritage. - The committee is reviewing a nomination to inscribe Wadi Wurayah in Fujairah Emirate on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

The details: - Wadi Wurayah covers 220 square kilometers. - The protected area is home to 1,099 species of flora and fauna. - Delegates are also attending side meetings and discussions focused on protecting natural heritage and natural reserves. - Wadi Wurayah was already added to UNESCO’s World Network of Biosphere Reserves in 2018 under the Man and the Biosphere programme. - The delegation is emphasizing the reserve’s ecological importance during the meeting.

Between the lines: - The nomination builds on an existing international conservation profile, which may strengthen the case for broader UNESCO recognition. - The participation signals that Fujairah is using the UNESCO forum not only for advocacy, but also for relationship-building and knowledge exchange. - The effort aligns with the UAE’s stated approach to balancing development with stewardship of natural resources.

What's next: - UNESCO’s World Heritage Committee will continue evaluating the Wadi Wurayah nomination during the session. - The outcome will determine whether the site advances toward World Heritage inscription. - Fujairah Environment Department is expected to keep working with international partners on biodiversity protection and conservation policy. - More information