Cairo: Egypt has successfully renewed the inclusion of Wadi El Hitan, also known as Whale Valley, on the International Union for Conservation of Nature's (IUCN) Green List of Protected and Conserved Areas. Minister of Local Development and Environment Manal Awad announced the renewal, which extends from April 24, 2026, to April 23, 2031.
According to State Information Service Egypt, the renewal signifies international confidence in Egypt's environmental management system for natural heritage sites. The decision highlights the ministry's efforts to preserve the exceptional value of Wadi El Hitan, a UNESCO World Heritage Site celebrated for its fossil remains of ancient whales. The minister emphasized that this designation reflects Egypt's commitment to applying international standards in managing protected areas while promoting sustainable use of natural resources.
The renewal process, as explained by Awad, is granted by the International Union for Conservation of Nature under its Green List Standard, which evaluates sites on governance, planning, management, and conservation outcomes. The evaluation includes national reviews, submission of supporting documents, independent technical assessments by international experts, and final approval by the IUCN's specialized committees.
Wadi El Hitan first received Green List certification in 2018 and entered the re-listing process in 2024. Alongside Ras Mohammed National Park, Wadi El Hitan is one of two sites in Egypt on the IUCN Green List, which features 93 sites worldwide out of nearly 286,810 protected areas.
Awad noted that the renewed certification resulted from cooperation between the Egyptian Environmental Affairs Agency, local communities, scientific institutions, and civil society organizations operating in Wadi El Hitan. This collaboration represents a successful model of participatory management for protected areas. Egypt plans to continue supporting modern environmental management systems, enhancing staff capabilities, and expanding international partnerships to preserve biodiversity and advance sustainable development goals.