We are living through a global biodiversity crisis. One million species are at risk of extinction. Natural habitats are vanishing at alarming rates. The decline of pollinators, the degradation of wetlands, and the destruction of forests and grasslands are not just environmental tragedies—they are also a direct threat to food security, water supply, economic stability, and public health. In the Middle East, this toll has been especially harsh. Desertification, pollution, overgrazing, and water scarcity are compounding each other, forming a vicious cycle that is reshaping landscapes and livelihoods.
And yet, amid these challenges, there are signs of hope—and leadership.
Saudi Arabia, for example, has made remarkable progress in rewilding its landscapes. Under the stewardship of the National Center for Wildlife, the Kingdom has reintroduced over 7,800 animals—including Arabian oryx, mountain gazelles, Nubian ibex, and other species—into their natural habitats. These are not just symbolic releases; they represent serious, science-based conservation efforts aimed at rebuilding ecosystems and making them viable once more. Saudi Arabia’s conservation zones, particularly along the Red Sea coast, are now recognized globally for their ecological value. Coral reefs once thought to be beyond saving are beginning to regenerate, thanks to protected areas and reduced stress on marine systems.
In the UAE, mangrove restoration has become a flagship initiative. The country has committed to planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, recognizing their value not only in storing carbon and buffering coastlines against storms, but also as breeding grounds for fish and marine life. The Al Wathba Wetland Reserve near Abu Dhabi is a case in point—once a dry salt flat, it is now a thriving ecosystem with the first successful breeding flamingos on the Arabian Peninsula since 1922 and a vital stopover site for other migratory birds. Meanwhile, reforestation and native tree-planting campaigns have taken root across the region, with countries like Jordan, Bahrain, and Oman launching efforts to restore vegetation and combat land degradation.
Egypt, too, is stepping forward. As the host of COP27 in Sharm El Sheikh, Egypt helped spotlight the link between biodiversity, climate adaptation, and economic resilience. Initiatives like the rehabilitation of Lake Manzala and the Wadi El Rayan Protected Area illustrate how conservation can also serve development, by improving water quality, creating jobs, and supporting tourism. Egypt’s designation of new nature reserves and investment in sustainable agriculture programs show a growing understanding that biodiversity is not just a natural heritage issue—it is an economic issue.
These national efforts are converging into something larger: a regional movement that understands biodiversity not as an isolated environmental concern, but as a unifying mission. The fact that Egypt hosted the COP27 climate change negotiations, the UAE hosted COP28, and Saudi Arabia hosted the UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD COP16) is no coincidence. These events reflect a rising awareness in the region that ecological stability is essential to national prosperity.
That momentum is being carried by leaders who understand the stakes. Recently, Egypt’s Yasmine Fouad was appointed to lead the UNCCD—an acknowledgment of the region’s expertise and growing voice on the global stage. She is the first woman from the Arab world to serve in this capacity, and her leadership will be critical in building regional coalitions to address shared threats such as drought, soil erosion, and unsustainable land use.
There is a long way to go. Biodiversity remains underfunded, under-prioritized, and at risk of being sidelined in the rush to meet short-term development goals. But there is an opportunity to shift course.
The truth is that ecosystems do not recognize borders. Migratory birds fly over ministries and fences. Dust storms do not stop at the border. Coral reefs link the coasts of Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and Sudan. In this sense, biodiversity is not just shared—it is collective. And that means the solutions must be as well.
As Dr. Qurban, the CEO of Saudi Arabia’s National Center of Wildlife has noted, “we recognize the importance of international cooperation and leveraging collective experience and best practices to enhance wildlife conservation.”
The Paulson Institute is proud to work with governments, financial institutions, and civil society leaders who are helping to build the field of nature finance in the region—translating conservation needs into bankable projects and policy reforms. Because ultimately, if we are to reverse biodiversity loss, it will not be enough to care. We must also invest.
The Middle East has shown that when it comes to nature, there is no deficit of ambition. From the Red Sea to the Nile Delta, from the Arabian deserts to the mangrove coastlines, this region is home to extraordinary biodiversity. And now, increasingly, it is also home to important efforts to protect and restore it.
* The writer is a Senior Advisor, The Paulson Institute
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