President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the enlargement of nature reserves throughout Abu Dhabi to cowl 20 per cent of the emirate’s complete land space, reinforcing the UAE’s world management in environmental safety and sustainability.
The choice, which aligns with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 programme, underscores the UAE’s dedication to attaining world biodiversity objectives and balancing sustainable improvement with pure heritage preservation.
Increasing protected areas in Abu Dhabi
The Setting Company – Abu Dhabi will oversee the administration of the newly designated reserves, which span 4,581sq km and might be added to the Zayed Protected Areas Community.
Following the enlargement, Abu Dhabi may have a complete of 26 protected areas — together with 13 terrestrial and 6 marine reserves — overlaying 22,821sq km in complete.
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 Setting, the Setting Company – Abu Dhabi, and the Worldwide Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
New reserves and expansions
The enlargement 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 enlargement 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 increase 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 Setting Company – Abu Dhabi Board of Administrators, stated: “The directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan mirror our clever management’s imaginative and prescient for environmental safety and sustainability.
“This enlargement will safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems for future generations and strengthen Abu Dhabi’s world 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 Setting Company – Abu Dhabi, stated: “These directives reaffirm the UAE’s unwavering dedication to biodiversity conservation and defending wildlife throughout the emirate.
“Increasing nature reserves will assist progressive programmes for wildlife preservation and make sure the sustainability of our pure setting.”
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary Basic of the Setting Company – Abu Dhabi, stated: “This marks a transformative milestone in Abu Dhabi’s environmental journey and displays the UAE’s dedication to attaining the World Biodiversity Framework 2030 objectives, 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 world mannequin in environmental motion.”
Nationwide biodiversity objectives
The Setting Company – Abu Dhabi acknowledged that the enlargement 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 vital biodiversity areas
- Rehabilitating degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems
- Minimising the affect of local weather change and catastrophe dangers on biodiversity
- Enhancing ecosystem resilience throughout the UAE
Collectively, these efforts intention to place the emirate as a world mannequin in biodiversity safety, making certain that the emirate’s ecosystems proceed to thrive for future generations.
