King Salman Reserve Earns IUCN Certification for AI Conservation

The King Salman bin Abdulaziz Royal Reserve has become the first natural reserve in the Middle East and West Asia to receive the Technical Innovation Certification from the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

The recognition was awarded for the use of advanced technologies to support environmental protection and biodiversity monitoring within the reserve.

The system was developed through a collaboration with Saudi Telecom Company and implemented under Huawei’s Tech4Nature programme. It relies on artificial intelligence and advanced communications infrastructure to monitor wildlife and ecosystems in real time.

Officials said the platform uses a network of smart cameras to identify species and track their movements across natural habitats. The system processes large volumes of data to generate insights that support scientific research, ecological monitoring and environmental decision-making.

The technology is also designed to strengthen response capabilities by enabling faster intervention to protect natural resources through AI-based analysis.

The certification aligns with broader efforts to adopt “smart reserve” models that integrate low-carbon and AI-driven monitoring systems, supporting national environmental goals and biodiversity protection strategies.