Post by : Badri Ariffin

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has officially entered a Framework Partnership Agreement with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), uniquely positioning itself as the first organization in West Asia to achieve this esteemed partnership status.

The signing, overseen by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and EAD Chairman, was an important event, attended by His Excellency Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of EAD's Board of Directors, and Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN.

This partnership signifies a major advancement in the longstanding collaboration between EAD and IUCN, geared toward promoting conservation science, safeguarding endangered species, and supporting effective global environmental initiatives for close to two decades.

Through this agreement, EAD will significantly engage with IUCN’s global conservation agenda and its strategic programs over the next four years. This alliance aims to bolster international efforts towards biodiversity conservation, ecosystem protection, and nature-positive growth through sustained institutional commitments.

EAD, a member of IUCN since 2012, has partnered with the body on numerous crucial conservation initiatives. Since 2008, EAD has organized every IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Leaders' Meeting, one of the world’s largest networks dedicated to conservation science.

The collaboration has led to meaningful contributions to global initiatives such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems. Furthermore, both entities have collaborated on identifying Key Biodiversity Areas and crafting the UAE National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan.

This agreement builds upon the momentum from the eighth IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi in October 2025, which attracted over 10,000 participants from governments, civil society, indigenous communities, and academic institutions globally.

The partnership directly supports the Abu Dhabi Call to Action, a global conservation framework established during the congress. This framework emphasizes five pivotal priorities: recognizing nature's critical role in human well-being, bolstering global cooperation, encouraging inclusive participation, advancing scientific innovation, and enhancing resources dedicated to nature and climate action.

Additionally, this collaboration underscores Abu Dhabi's enduring environmental vision, inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Presently, around 20 percent of the emirate is shielded under the Zayed Network of Protected Areas, encompassing 18 terrestrial and six marine reserves.

Abu Dhabi has witnessed several significant conservation achievements in recent years. The dugong population has surged to approximately 3,500 individuals, while turtle numbers have approached about 8,000. Over 51 million mangrove seedlings have been planted across the emirate.

The emirate has also significantly contributed to the recovery of the Scimitar-horned Oryx in Chad. Conservation efforts undertaken by Abu Dhabi have aided in enhancing the species status from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered, marking one of the most successful wildlife restoration endeavors worldwide.

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, EAD's Secretary General and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14, emphasized that this partnership exemplifies the environmental vision of the UAE's Founding Father, Sheikh Zayed. She asserted that this agreement will effectively transform global biodiversity aspirations into tangible results while ensuring regional priorities influence global environmental decisions.

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, IUCN's President, characterized the partnership as a testament to the UAE's ongoing dedication to preserving nature and supporting sustainable growth, asserting that it will translate global conservation goals into actionable, measurable outcomes.

Dr. Grethel Aguilar, IUCN's Director General, welcomed EAD as the organization’s newest Framework Partner, the first from West Asia, praising EAD's scientific authority, regional leadership, and commendable environmental history—indicating that this collaboration will enhance initiatives to combat biodiversity loss and generate lasting benefits for people and nature alike.

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