Saudi Arabia has officially ratified the framework agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA), becoming the 26th member country to join the India-led global conservation initiative. The ratification instrument was deposited on May 22, 2026, expanding the alliance to 26 members and five observer nations. This accession strengthens global efforts to protect endangered big cat species and their habitats by fostering collaboration between West Asia and other ecological regions.
Saudi Arabia’s Accession to the Alliance
Saudi Arabia officially deposited its instrument of ratification for the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) framework agreement, marking the country’s formal entry as the 26th member nation. The Ministry of External Affairs of India, which serves as the official depository for the treaty, received the ratification documents.
This move follows Saudi Arabia’s active engagement with global environmental initiatives and its domestic focus on protecting native biodiversity. By ratifying the framework, the Kingdom gains access to a global network of range and non-range countries, enabling joint research, technical exchange, and capacity-building programs. The current membership of the alliance stands at 26 member countries and five observer nations, which include Kazakhstan, Namibia, Thailand, Ecuador, and Vietnam.
Overview of the International Big Cat Alliance
The International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) is a treaty-based international organization designed to establish a global platform for conserving wild cats. Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi launched the alliance on April 9, 2023, to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger during an event in Mysuru, Karnataka. The initiative is modeled after the International Solar Alliance (ISA), providing a structured framework for global environmental cooperation.
In February 2024, the Union Cabinet of India formally approved the creation of the alliance. To support its initial operations, the Indian government allocated a one-time budgetary assistance of ₹150 crore for a period of five years spanning 2023-24 to 2027-28. Following the signing and ratification by multiple countries, the founding Framework Agreement officially came into force on January 23, 2025.
The alliance operates with its headquarters located in New Delhi, India. The Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) acts as the nodal ministry coordinating India’s participation in the alliance, while the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) handles the treaty repository functions.
Focus Species and Conservation Pillars
The alliance focuses on the protection of seven major wild cat species globally. These species represent key apex predators whose survival is linked to the health of their respective forest, grassland, and mountain ecosystems.
| Common Name | Scientific Name | IUCN Red List Status | Primary Habitats |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tiger | Panthera tigris | Endangered | Tropical and subtropical forests, grasslands |
| Lion | Panthera leo | Vulnerable | Savannahs, open woodlands, grasslands |
| Leopard | Panthera pardus | Vulnerable | Forests, shrublands, deserts, mountains |
| Snow Leopard | Panthera uncia | Vulnerable | High-altitude alpine regions of Central Asia |
| Cheetah | Acinonyx jubatus | Vulnerable | Savannahs, arid grasslands, desert plains |
| Jaguar | Panthera onca | Near Threatened | Tropical rainforests, wetlands, swamps |
| Puma | Puma concolor | Least Concern | Mountains, forests, deserts of the Americas |
To conserve these species, the alliance employs a multi-dimensional strategy structured around several core pillars. These pillars include sharing technical knowledge, training local forest rangers, and establishing standardized monitoring protocols. The organization also facilitates the mobilization of financial resources from donor nations, corporate entities, and multilateral agencies to fund localized conservation projects in developing range countries.
Saudi Arabia’s Domestic Big Cat Conservation Initiatives
Saudi Arabia’s accession to the alliance aligns with its extensive national campaign to save the Arabian leopard (Panthera pardus nimr), a subspecies classified as Critically Endangered by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The country has not recorded any verified sightings of the leopard in the wild since 2014, making captive breeding programs critical for the species’ survival.
The Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU) manages the Kingdom’s primary conservation efforts, centered at the Arabian Leopard Conservation Breeding Centre in Taif. The breeding population at this facility grew from 14 to more than 30 leopards after the commission took over management in 2020. In early 2025, the Taif breeding center secured membership in the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA), becoming the first Saudi institution to receive this international accreditation.
To prepare the leopards for reintroduction into the wild, the commission is building a dedicated Arabian Leopard Rewilding Centre within the Sharaan Nature Reserve in AlUla. This reserve undergoes ecological restoration to reintroduce native prey species and recover local vegetation. Financial support for these initiatives is secured through the Arabian Leopard Fund and a $20 million partnership with Panthera, a global wild cat conservation organization.
Strategic and Geopolitical Implications
Saudi Arabia’s entry into the alliance highlights the growing global appeal of India’s environmental diplomacy. Following the models of the International Solar Alliance (ISA) and the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure (CDRI), the big cat alliance serves as a key platform for India to assert leadership in global ecological governance. It provides a structured space for developing nations to collaborate without relying on Western-dominated environmental frameworks.
The accession also strengthens the strategic partnership between India and Saudi Arabia. While bilateral relations historically focused on energy security and trade, this agreement expands cooperation into wildlife conservation and environmental science. It allows both nations to share expertise, such as India’s long-running experience with Project Tiger and Saudi Arabia’s advanced biotechnology tools used at the Taif breeding center.
Key Takeaways
- Saudi Arabia officially ratified the framework agreement of the International Big Cat Alliance (IBCA) on May 22, 2026, becoming its 26th member nation.
- The alliance currently consists of 26 member countries and five observer nations, which include Kazakhstan, Namibia, Thailand, Ecuador, and Vietnam.
- The alliance was launched by Prime Minister Narendra Modi on April 9, 2023, in Mysuru, Karnataka, to mark the 50th anniversary of Project Tiger.
- The initiative is headquartered in New Delhi, India, and focuses on the conservation of seven major wild cat species including the tiger, lion, leopard, snow leopard, cheetah, jaguar, and puma.
- Saudi Arabia’s primary domestic conservation focus is the critically endangered Arabian leopard, supported by the breeding facility in Taif managed by the Royal Commission for AlUla (RCU).
- The Taif breeding facility became the first institution in Saudi Arabia to receive accreditation from the European Association of Zoos and Aquaria (EAZA) in 2025.
