Saudi Arabia launches global camel passport initiative

2026-02-06 - 10:16

RIYADH – Saudi Arabia on Friday announced the launch of a global “camel passport” initiative, marking a significant step toward modernizing livestock management while safeguarding the Kingdom’s cultural heritage. The project was formally inaugurated by Saudi Deputy Minister for Environment, Water and Agriculture Mansour Al-Mushaiti, according to official sources. Saudi authorities said the camel passport will serve as a comprehensive identification and regulatory document, designed to improve traceability, ownership verification, and organized record-keeping of camels at both national and international levels. The initiative is being described as a pioneering move, reflecting Saudi Arabia’s leadership in the preservation and regulation of camel-related heritage. The officials explained that the camel passport will contain detailed information, including a unique microchip number, passport number, and the animal’s date of birth. In addition, the document will record the camel’s name, breed, gender, colour, and place of birth. For identification purposes, a photograph of the animal will also be included in the passport. The introduction of camel passports is expected to support a wide range of objectives, including better health monitoring, controlled movement, participation in competitions, breeding programs, and international trade. Authorities noted that the initiative will also help prevent fraud, illegal ownership claims, and disputes related to camel identification. The Saudi officials highlighted the cultural importance of camels in the Kingdom, describing them as an integral part of Saudi Arabia’s history, traditions, and economic activity. According to official figures, around 2.2 million camels are currently registered as part of the Kingdom’s national heritage. The regional data showed that the Riyadh region has the highest number of registered camels, with more than 656,000 animals recorded, underscoring the scale of camel ownership and activity in the area. The camel passport initiative is being seen as part of broader reforms to modernize agricultural and livestock systems in line with international standards while ensuring the protection and documentation of one of Saudi Arabia’s most iconic symbols. Saudi Arabia announces date for issuing Hajj visas 2026