The Aqaba Marine Reserve has successfully completed the first phase of its nomination for UNESCO’s World Heritage List, marking a key milestone in its journey toward global recognition. The announcement was made on Sunday by Reserve Director Naser Zawaydeh during a meeting led by Nayef Fayez, Chief Commissioner of the Aqaba Special Economic Zone Authority (ASEZA).
Zawaydeh revealed that the reserve passed the initial technical evaluation and has now entered a strategic partnership with the Red Sea Transboundary Centre. This collaboration aims to advance coral reef monitoring through cutting-edge technologies such as AI-powered 3D imaging and environmental DNA (eDNA) analysis, boosting scientific understanding of the Gulf of Aqaba’s rich marine ecosystem.
He emphasized the reserve’s ongoing commitment to biodiversity conservation, highlighting significant achievements that have strengthened its status as a regional and international model for effective environmental management.
Among its current initiatives, the reserve has launched the second phase of its coral farming project in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP). This phase includes the establishment of new coral nurseries and the deployment of three artificial reefs to support marine habitat restoration.
To improve visitor services, recent upgrades have been completed at the reserve’s visitor centre and beach facilities. These include new entry gates, a wheelchair-accessible ramp at Al Azraq Beach, and renovations to public halls. Green spaces have also been expanded, with 160 palm trees planted at Palm Beach to enhance the landscape and visitor experience.
In support of sustainable fishing practices, the reserve has enforced a seasonal fishing ban from January 1 to April 30 — the breeding season for endemic marine species — for the third consecutive year. This regulation, based on 2020 guidelines, is balanced by financial compensation to licensed fishermen to ensure environmental protection while supporting local livelihoods.
Zawaydeh also praised the daily efforts of monitoring teams who work to prevent ecological violations. Over 80 underwater cleanup campaigns have been conducted along the central beach, significantly reducing marine pollution.
In a final highlight, he announced that Al Azraq Beach has received the prestigious “Blue Flag” certification for 2025 — an international award recognizing beaches that meet strict environmental and quality standards.
