President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the growth of nature reserves throughout Abu Dhabi to cowl 20 per cent of the emirate’s whole land space, reinforcing the UAE’s international management in environmental safety and sustainability.
The choice, which aligns with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 programme, underscores the UAE’s dedication to reaching international biodiversity targets and balancing sustainable improvement with pure heritage preservation.
Increasing protected areas in Abu Dhabi
The Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi will oversee the administration of the newly designated reserves, which span 4,581sq km and shall be added to the Zayed Protected Areas Community.
Following the growth, Abu Dhabi can have a complete of 26 protected areas — together with 13 terrestrial and 6 marine reserves — overlaying 22,821sq km in whole.
The initiative coincides with the UAE’s historic internet hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held for the primary time within the area from October 9–15 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The occasion is organised by the Ministry of Local weather Change and Surroundings, the Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi, and the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
New reserves and expansions
The growth contains the creation of three new terrestrial reserves — Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve, and Ghaf Pure Reserve.
It additionally options the growth of the Qasr Al Sarab Reserve, alongside the institution of two new marine reserves: Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve.
Moreover, authorities will develop the Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.
Dedication to sustainability
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Consultant in Al Dhafra Area and Chairman of the Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi Board of Administrators, mentioned: “The directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mirror our sensible management’s imaginative and prescient for environmental safety and sustainability.
“This growth will safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems for future generations and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s international standing as a mannequin for environmental stewardship, persevering with the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan.”
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi, mentioned: “These directives reaffirm the UAE’s unwavering dedication to biodiversity conservation and defending wildlife throughout the emirate.
“Increasing nature reserves will help progressive programmes for wildlife preservation and make sure the sustainability of our pure surroundings.”
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary Common of the Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi, mentioned: “This marks a transformative milestone in Abu Dhabi’s environmental journey and displays the UAE’s dedication to reaching the International Biodiversity Framework 2030 targets, together with the 30×30 initiative.
“It reinforces the management’s imaginative and prescient of balancing sustainable improvement with pure heritage conservation, positioning Abu Dhabi as a worldwide mannequin in environmental motion.”
Nationwide biodiversity targets
The Surroundings Company – Abu Dhabi said that the growth helps the Nationwide Biodiversity Technique 2031, which presents a complete imaginative and prescient for nature conservation and local weather motion.
The technique focuses on six key pillars:
- Defending and monitoring important biodiversity areas
- Rehabilitating degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems
- Minimising the impression of local weather change and catastrophe dangers on biodiversity
- Enhancing ecosystem resilience throughout the UAE
Collectively, these efforts goal to place the emirate as a worldwide mannequin in biodiversity safety, making certain that the emirate’s ecosystems proceed to thrive for future generations.
