Saudi Harrat Uwayrid Reserve Added to UNESCO’s MAB Program

Harrat Uwayrid Reserve (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Harrat Uwayrid Reserve (Asharq Al-Awsat)
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Saudi Harrat Uwayrid Reserve Added to UNESCO’s MAB Program

Harrat Uwayrid Reserve (Asharq Al-Awsat)
Harrat Uwayrid Reserve (Asharq Al-Awsat)

The United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) added Saudi Arabia’s Harrat Uwayrid Reserve to the Man and the Biosphere Program (MAB).

The announcement came Wednesday during the 43rd meeting after the reserve met all the criteria required for registration.

Harrat Uwayrid is the largest nature reserve in AlUla Governorate among five other reserves. It contains 19 species of endangered animals and 43 species of birds, including eight species of prey, and the reserve also contains 55 species of rare plants.

The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) issued a statement announcing that all the documents filed about the reserve included a collection of data on wildlife present, natural and historical landmarks, and ancient human activity in the area.

They also recorded endangered animals and plant names, as well as documented human life and elements of the environment.

The Commission indicated that putting the reserve on UNESCO's program is an achievement of the objectives of AlUla vision stemming from Vision 2030.

It aims to balance the natural reserves in the AlUla governorate through programs to release wild animals and ensure re-vegetation.

The Man and the Biosphere Program is an intergovernmental scientific program that aims to establish a scientific basis for enhancing the relationship between people and their environments.

It combines the natural and social sciences to improve human livelihoods and safeguard natural and managed ecosystems, thus promoting innovative approaches to economic development that are socially, culturally appropriate, and environmentally sustainable.



Djokovic’s 11-Year-Old Son, Stefan, Is Getting Wimbledon Players’ Autographs. But Not Dad’s

 Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Australia's Alex de Minaur during a fourth round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Australia's Alex de Minaur during a fourth round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP)
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Djokovic’s 11-Year-Old Son, Stefan, Is Getting Wimbledon Players’ Autographs. But Not Dad’s

 Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Australia's Alex de Minaur during a fourth round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP)
Serbia's Novak Djokovic serves to Australia's Alex de Minaur during a fourth round men's singles match at the Wimbledon Tennis Championships in London, Monday, July 7, 2025. (AP)

Novak Djokovic's 11-year-old son, Stefan, seems to be having the time of his life at Wimbledon, where he has been wearing a white hat with autographs of several players.

One valuable signature he's missing? His father's.

Djokovic said after his 1-6, 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 victory over Alex de Minaur in the fourth round Monday that his kid did most of the work himself to gather the names scribbled on the cap.

“It was himself, independently of me, approaching and asking for autographs,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion said. “I think I might have asked only Jannik (Sinner) or someone, but everyone else he’s approached.”

Stefan is even having fun on the court, hitting recently with Flavio Cobolli, the 22nd-seeded Italian who will take on Djokovic in the quarterfinals.

“He’s over the moon. Obviously, he loves tennis. Yeah, he has everyone’s signature, except mine,” Dad said. “But that’s OK. I’ll accept that.”

Djokovic and his wife, Jelena, also have a daughter, 7-year-old Tara, who got attention earlier in the tournament by doing a post-match dance.