Dr. Yasmine Fouad, Egypt’s Minister of Environment, emphasized the strong commitment of both Egypt and the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to advancing environmental cooperation within the Arab world, particularly in wildlife conservation. She stressed the importance of deepening this cooperation to encompass not only the protection of wild species but also the preservation of local heritage and cultural traditions connected to these species. Dr. Fouad referenced Saudi Arabia’s declaration of a reserve for the Arabian leopard and Egypt’s ongoing efforts to establish a protected area for the Egyptian gazelle.
Her remarks were made during her participation in the World Arabian Leopard Day event hosted by Saudi Ambassador to Egypt, Ambassador Saleh bin Eid Al-Husseini, at the Saudi Embassy in Cairo.
In her speech, Dr. Fouad acknowledged Saudi Arabia as one of the first countries to dedicate a day to the conservation of the Arabian leopard, an endangered species with a population of no more than 200 individuals worldwide. This initiative aligns with Saudi Arabia’s broader commitment to protecting wildlife, enhancing biodiversity, and launching key environmental initiatives aimed at maintaining ecological balance, conserving threatened species, and promoting sustainability.
Dr. Fouad also congratulated Saudi Arabia on successfully hosting the 16th Conference of the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), noting the important outcomes that emerged from the event. She highlighted that Egypt’s previous hosting of the 14th Conference of the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) positions both countries to utilize these agreements as a foundation for implementing sustainable development paths. This collaborative approach, she noted, would help achieve effective natural resource management and conservation for future generations while amplifying the Arab voice in international forums and multilateral agreements for the benefit of the region.
It is worth noting that Saudi Arabia proposed World Arabian Leopard Day as a global occasion to raise international awareness about the rare and endangered species, and the United Nations General Assembly formally adopted it in 2023.
