July 26, 2025: The UAE has reaffirmed its dedication to mangrove conservation and announced significant progress in its environmental initiatives, according to HE Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, in her statement on International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem.
She stated: “As nature-based solutions to climate change, we consider mangrove ecosystems instrumental in reaching our Net Zero target by 2050. To achieve this, and in line with the UAE’s Biodiversity Strategy 2031, we are taking steady, deliberate steps towards fulfilling our ambitious target of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, encouraging the contributions of our community, industry, and both the private and public sectors, all united in this shared endeavour.
“Our global partnerships have been instrumental in advancing this mission. The Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), which now comprises 45 members, exemplifies this collaborative spirit. Through MAC, the UAE has endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough, which seeks to mobilise global financial resources for mangrove restoration and calls for accelerated action from governments, the private sector, and non-state actors to protect mangroves under threat. Furthermore, the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed-Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre in Bali will mark a major step in preserving mangrove ecosystems globally.”
She said the forthcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in October is a strategic opportunity to accelerate global conservation efforts. “It will be a platform to advance solutions that build ecological resilience, champion progressive policy, and cultivate the conditions necessary for flourishing biodiversity, including within our critical mangrove habitats.”
“Mangroves form a natural shield against rising seas, coastal erosion, and the impacts of climate change,” Dr. Al Dahak said, highlighting their importance in supporting biodiversity and providing essential habitats for marine life. Dr. Al Dahak emphasized the urgency of protecting these vital ecosystems, stating that their preservation is intrinsically linked to human wellbeing and environmental sustainability.
