National Strategy for Conservation of Biodiversity in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. Country/Territory Saudi Arabia Document type Date 2005 Source FAO, FAOLEX Subject Agricultural & rural development, Environment gen., Fisheries, Forestry, Cultivated plants, Water, Wild species & ecosystems Keyword Biodiversity Sustainable use Ex-situ conservation Genetic resources Tourism Indigenous peoples Pastoralism Integrated management Certification Monitoring Biotechnology Sustainable development Agricultural land Integrated pest management-IPM/pest management strategies Cultural heritage Ecosystem preservation Marine area Marine protected areas Protected area Protection forest Protection of habitats GMO Freshwater fishes Fishery management and conservation Pests/diseases Agro-forestry Afforestation/reforestation Forest management/forest conservation Plant variety Planting material/seeds Pesticides Plant production Plant protection Management/conservation Wild fauna Wild flora Geographical area Middle East, NEAR EAST AND NORTH AFRICA, Persian Gulf, Red Sea Gulf of Aden, Western Asia Abstract The National Biodiversity Strategy for the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is a sectoral document aiming at introducing the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity into the national planning process; providing the basic information and a significant contribution to the Convention on Biological Diversity ratified by Saudi Arabia. Because the Strategy covers many issues, its effective implementation requires a high level of political support as well as coordination between government, non-governmental organization, and the private sectors. The Strategy consists of V Parts, as follows: Purpose and scope (I); Islamic Vision (II); Status of terrestrial, marine and freshwater biodiversity (III); 17 Strategic Goals (IV); Mechanism of implementation and subsequent monitoring. The main purpose of the conservation and sustainable use of Biodiversity will be achieved through the following specific strategic goals: in-situ conservation both inside and outside protected areas; ex-situ conservation; conserving and developing forests and woodlands, desert rangelands, living marine resources and agricultural biodiversity; botanic and zoological gardens regulating access to genetic resources in addition to national parks and introducing national biosafety standards; enacting environmental legislation, supporting scientific research, enhancing environmental education, and achieving socio-economic development; encouraging collaborative management and promoting cooperation for biodiversity; generating income from wildlife resources and developing ecotourism and nature-based tourism. Full text English/Arabic Website www.cbd.int