UAE's Wadi Al-Wuriyah enters UNESCO World Heritage List

Wadi Al-Wuriyah becomes UAE's first natural UNESCO World Heritage site

The UAE's Wadi Al-Wuriyah Nature Reserve in Fujairah has become the first Emirati site inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for its natural value. With this decision, the UAE's number of listed sites has risen to three.

Scraper SystemJuly 25, 2026, 10:48 PMUpdated: August 22, 2026, 04:04 PM

Wadi Al-Wuriyah becomes UAE's first natural UNESCO World Heritage site

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) has achieved a major milestone in its efforts to protect natural heritage. The Wadi Al-Wuriyah Nature Reserve, located in the Emirate of Fujairah, has been inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List. This makes it the first Emirati site to be listed for its outstanding natural value.

The UAE government said the decision reflects the country's commitment to protecting natural heritage, preserving biodiversity and strengthening sustainability. The decision was made at the 48th World Heritage Committee session in Busan, South Korea, held from July 19 to 29, 2025.

Sheikh Mohammed bin Hamad Al Sharqi, Crown Prince of Fujairah and the UAE's envoy for the Wadi Al-Wuriyah nomination to UNESCO, emphasized that the reserve stands out for its unique ecological and geological features as well as its scientific, environmental and cultural value.

UAE Minister of Culture Salem bin Khalid Al Qassimi also noted that Wadi Al-Wuriyah, with its rich biodiversity and rare ecosystems, is a natural and scientific reference point that contributes to humanity's knowledge.

Located deep in the Hajar Mountains, about 45 kilometers from the city of Fujairah, Wadi Al-Wuriyah covers an area of 220 square kilometers. The area is home to 1,099 species of plants and animals, including rare and endangered species. Its perennial natural waterfall and springs create a unique ecosystem.

Wadi Al-Wuriyah was declared a nature reserve in 2009. In 2010, it was listed as a wetland of international importance under the Ramsar Convention. Designated the UAE's first national park in 2013, the area was added to the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve network in 2018.

With this latest decision, the UAE now has three sites on the UNESCO World Heritage List. Previously, the Cultural Sites of Al Ain were inscribed in 2011, and the Al Faya archaeological site in the Emirate of Sharjah was added in 2025.

Maria Nica / Editor

Wadi Al-Wuriyah becomes UAE's first natural UNESCO World Heritage site