Farasan Islands: Red Sea archipelago off Jizan; UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 2021; governorate capital Farasan on Great Farasan.
An audit of coastal and marine protected areas flags under-resourced enforcement, fragmented governance, and questionable progress toward SDG 14.5 targets. It calls for standardised monitoring, better funding, and clearer mandates across agencies.
Divers are revisiting Tyre’s underwater Phoenician and Roman ruins after a shaky ceasefire. UNESCO notes submerged remains; authorities fear land and underwater sites face threats while plans for underwater parks seek to boost tourism.