In a landmark initiative blending tradition with modern governance, Saudi Arabia has unveiled plans to issue official passports for the nation’s estimated 2.2 million camels. The Ministry of Environment, Water and Agriculture announced this innovative program on February 4, 2026, designed to revolutionize camel management through digital documentation.
The newly designed passport features a distinctive green cover emblazoned with Saudi Arabia’s coat of arms and a golden camel silhouette. This official document will serve multiple purposes: regulating commercial transactions, tracking transportation movements, protecting ownership rights, and establishing a comprehensive national database for the prized animals.
According to state broadcaster Al Ekhbariya, this systematic approach will significantly enhance productivity and operational efficiency within Saudi Arabia’s substantial camel sector. The initiative addresses practical needs while honoring the cultural significance of camels, which have been essential to Arabian life for millennia—evidenced by 7,000-year-old rock carvings found in the region.
The passport system arrives amid growing sophistication in camel-related industries. Annual beauty contests attract substantial investments, with enthusiasts spending hundreds of thousands of dollars on premium specimens. This has occasionally led to unethical practices, including illegal cosmetic enhancements to exaggerate physical features such as drooping lips and shapely humps—practices that authorities have actively discouraged through increased regulation and penalties.
Beyond cultural preservation, the program represents a significant step in modernizing agricultural management while maintaining the deep historical connection between Saudi people and these revered animals.