UN Endorses International Day for Celebration of the Arab Leopard

Her Royal Highness Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz, Ambassador of the Custodian of the Two Holy Mosques to the United States of America, commended the United Nations General Assembly’s unanimous endorsement of February 10 as an international day for the celebration of the Arab Leopard, through a draft resolution presented by the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, and acted as its co-author.

Support from Over 30 Countries

More than 30 countries supported the draft resolution presented by the Permanent Representative of the Delegation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia to the United Nations, Ambassador Dr. Abdulaziz bin Muhammad Al Wazel. Her Highness the Ambassador welcomed the adoption of the draft resolution and noted that a number of agencies have been operating in the Kingdom for three years to raise awareness of the endangered Arabian leopard and focus international attention on the importance of preserving it in its natural environment.

Efforts to Preserve the Arabian Leopard

Her Highness added that the resolution sheds light on the Arabian leopard, one of the most endangered feline species, highlighting its importance for the conservation of wildlife and biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula. The resolution also translates the efforts of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia and sponsor countries in protecting the Arabian leopard through various initiatives that contribute to its preservation.

Endangered Status of the Arabian Leopard

The statement contained in the decision indicated that the Arabian leopard was one of nine subspecies of tigers recognized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature. The International List of Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora has recognized global leopard populations as “vulnerable” since 1975. In 2016, the Arabian leopard subspecies was classified as “endangered.” The rapid extinction of the Arabian leopard from large areas in the Arabian Peninsula represents a major setback threatening biodiversity conservation and environmental sustainability efforts in the region.

Catmosphere’s Role in Conservation

Catmosphere is a non-profit organization founded by HRH Princess Reema bint Bandar bin Sultan bin Abdulaziz in 2021 to raise awareness of the importance of conserving large wild cats (felines), especially the Arabian leopard, and protecting their natural life cycle due to negative impacts on the environment as a result of the extinction of these species.