RIYADH: The Saudi capital has been named as the international headquarters for the world’s first camel organization. Representatives of 96 countries gathered on Thursday in Riyadh for the inaugural constitutional assembly meeting of the newly established International Camel Organization (ICO). Saudi Camel Club supremo Fahd bin Falah bin Hithlin has been chosen to lead the ICO as its first president for a term of five years. During the assembled gathering, members issued the organization’s Riyadh Charter, which highlights the historic and cultural importance of camels to the international community. The new president said the ICO aimed to maintain international rules and standards relating to camels and noted that its Saudi launch reflected the Kingdom’s key role in developing and promoting the cultural aspect of the animals around the world. He added that the organization would be working to nurture mutual understanding and friendship between nations and peoples and establish a global family of camel-loving communities. Mikhled bin Omar Al-Otaibi, a member of the Saudi Heritage Preservation Society, said the decision to headquarter the ICO in Saudi Arabia was recognition of the Kingdom’s efforts, led by King Salman and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, to care for camels and promote their heritage on an international stage. Al-Otaibi said: “The Kingdom has always sought to preserve its cultural and natural heritage which is of great value to mankind.” He added that the first international camel charter represented a major step toward obtaining international protection for the animals. The Riyadh historical society official also gave his approval to the choice of ICO president, a figure who he said had made great achievements in his role as chairman of the Saudi Camel Club, including the organization of the prestigious King Abdul Aziz Camel Festival. The work of the ICO will involve underlining the role that camels, and activities associated with them, play in developing a mutual understanding and friendship that can contribute to building communities and caring for their members. It will also promote skills training and technical advances relating to camels and the industry sector linked to them.