The Wildlife Conservation General Administration (WCGA) was joined by the Ministry of Tourism Antiques and Wildlife to celebrate World Wildlife Day at Dal Group’s Excellence Center, Khartoum on 7 March, under this year’s theme ‘Listen to the Young Voices’.

This  year, the World Wildlife Day event highlighted the inscription of Sudan’s newly declared UNESCO Natural World Heritage Site Sanganeb Atoll Marine National Park  and Dungonab Bay-Mukkawar Island National Park , recognizing the outstanding universal value of these sites.This is the first marine World Heritage Site in the Red Sea, and wider Arabian region and the first recognized Natural World Heritage Site in Sudan.

The event was attended by more than 100 guests, bringing together representatives from a cross section of government, NGOs, INGOs, UN Agencies, academia, police and the private sector. The celebration of World Wildlife Day 2017 marks a significant step in raising awareness of Sudan’s rich biodiversity and conservation efforts in the country.

Guests arriving at Dal Groups Excellence Center 

Dr. Salwa Mansour Abdelhameed, Chairperson Sudan MAB Committee, Sudanese National Commision for UNESCO

Prof. El-Haj Abu Gabra, Head of UNESCO Chair in Marine Biology and Oceanography

Tarik Checkchak, Director Sciences and Environment Equipe Cousteau and Cousteau Society  

Reem Abdalgium, Sudanese Environmental Conservation Society

General. Abdel Hafiz, Director of  Wildlife Conservation General Administration awarding Dr. Wafaa Sid Ahmed Mohamed, Secretary General Sudanese National Commission for UNESCO for her contribution during the World Hermitage Process as well as  others who played a vital role.

Exhibit displayed jointly by the Cousteau Society and the Sudanese Development Initiative (SUDIA)