The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi has formalised a landmark alliance with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, signalling a shift from project-based work to a strategic role in global environmental governance, backed by high-level support.
The Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) has strengthened its longstanding ties with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) by signing a new Framework Partnership Agreement. This move really cements the emirate’s environmental priorities within IUCN’s global agenda, in a way that’s quite significant.
The announcement came out in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, and the signing took place under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is both Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD. Remarkably, this makes EAD the first organisation in West Asia to reach this level of formal partnership with IUCN. The cooperation spans almost twenty years, time enough to shape some pretty influential scientific work on species protection, ecosystem assessments, and international conservation policies, to name just a few.
The signing event was attended by notable figures such as Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, who is Vice Chairman of EAD’s board, and Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, who is both President of IUCN and a very well-regarded figure in conservation circles within the UAE. And honestly, for Abu Dhabi, this isn’t just about symbolism. It really signals an intention to transition from just project-based collaboration to a more institutional, long-term role in global conservation governance.
As per the official statement, this framework will last for four years, during which EAD will support IUCN’s strategic priorities, scientific programmes, and broader conservation goals. These include protections for biodiversity, species recovery, ecosystem restoration, and moving towards development that’s positive for nature. Basically, the aim is to turn the emirate’s existing environmental work into a lasting contribution to international efforts.
EAD has been a member of IUCN since 2012, but the relationship actually runs deeper than that. Since 2008, Abu Dhabi has hosted every meeting of the Species Survival Commission’s leadership, which has played, well, a big part, in pushing forward global efforts to protect threatened species. That collaboration has also fed into the creation of tools like the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, and the Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems, both pretty influential in shaping science and policy.
The agency’s work with IUCN doesn’t stop there, either. They’ve collaborated on identifying Key Biodiversity Areas and developing the UAE’s National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan. Basically, these are practical examples of how a local authority can influence international conservation frameworks while also applying those frameworks domestically.
This new agreement follows on from the momentum created by the IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi in October 2025. That event brought together over 10,000 people from governments, civil society, indigenous communities, academia, and the private sector. One of its key outputs was the Abu Dhabi Call to Action, urging faster and broader efforts on matters of nature and climate change.
The Congress was particularly significant not just for its size but also for setting a clear direction. Delegates approved a 20-year strategic vision and a brand-new four-year programme for IUCN. The Abu Dhabi Call to Action outlined five priorities: viewing nature as the foundation for human well-being, boosting multilateral cooperation, ensuring everyone can participate equally, driving science and innovation, and increasing funding for nature and climate initiatives.
The partnership between EAD and IUCN is essentially a direct response to this agenda. For Abu Dhabi, it’s about sending a message: conservation shouldn’t be confined just to local reserves or species programmes. Instead, it should also help shape global decision-making inside international institutions.
That ambition is part of a broader environmental story in the emirate, which often traces its roots back to the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. His interest in desert ecology and wildlife protection still influences policy today. Over the years, Abu Dhabi has built one of the most extensive protected-area networks in the region. Currently, around 20% of the emirate is protected through the Zayed Network of Protected Areas, comprising 18 terrestrial reserves and six marine reserves.
EAD reports that dugong populations have increased to approximately 3,500, while turtle numbers have climbed to about 8,000. And they’ve planted over 51 million mangrove seedlings across the emirate, really reflecting the UAE’s wider focus on blue-carbon and coastal restoration strategies.
Interestingly enough, Abu Dhabi also points to a major success story in species recovery, the return of the Scimitar-horned Oryx to Chad. This project helped move the species from “Extinct in the Wild” to “Endangered” on the IUCN Red List, which is a pretty rare turnaround. It’s a shining example of what coordinated international conservation work can actually accomplish.
Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD and Vice Chair of the Global Council on SDG14, explained that this new agreement echoes a principle that’s guided Abu Dhabi’s environmental approach for decades. She mentioned that the emirate plans to bring “sustained, dedicated investment” to programmes that turn commitments into real, measurable results for biodiversity and ecosystems.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, for her part, described the partnership as a clear sign of the UAE’s longstanding support for nature as a key foundation for progress. Meanwhile, Dr Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, said that this agreement showed Abu Dhabi’s “bold and enduring commitment” to protecting nature at the scale required by today’s planet.
For those involved in climate and conservation in the UAE, what makes this deal significant isn’t just the symbolism, it’s also about the structure. Abu Dhabi isn’t just hosting global conservation discussions; it’s beginning to embed itself more directly into the institutions that will shape those conversations going forward.
- https://www.urdupoint.com/en/middle-east/ead-signs-framework-partnership-agreement-wit-2197532.html – Please view link – unable to able to access data
- https://www.iucncongress2025.org/newsroom/all-news/iucn-world-conservation-congress-concludes-abu-dhabi-ambitious-vision-nature – The IUCN World Conservation Congress concluded in Abu Dhabi, UAE, setting a 20-year vision for nature conservation. The event, held under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, gathered over 10,000 attendees, including government officials, civil society, Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations, academia, and business leaders. The Congress approved a 20-year Strategic Vision and a new four-year programme, with Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak re-elected as IUCN President. The ‘Abu Dhabi Call to Action’ was presented, urging the global community to accelerate efforts across five key areas: reaffirming nature’s foundation for well-being, strengthening multilateralism, ensuring justice and inclusion, advancing knowledge and innovation, and scaling up resources for nature and climate action. The Congress also welcomed over 100 new members, including six states: Armenia, Tajikistan, Marshall Islands, Gabon, Tuvalu, and Zimbabwe. The next IUCN World Protected and Conserved Areas Congress is scheduled for September 2027 in Panama. The Congress was certified compliant with the ISO 20121:2024 Standard, recognising its commitment to sustainability. Major scientific announcements included updates to the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, revealing growing threats to Arctic seals due to climate change, and the 4th World Heritage Outlook report, indicating that climate change threatens 43% of natural World Heritage sites.
- https://iucncongress2025.org/newsroom/all-news/iucn-world-conservation-congress-opens-abu-dhabi – The IUCN World Conservation Congress opened in Abu Dhabi, UAE, under the patronage of President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan. The event, held from 9 to 15 October 2025, brought together over 10,000 attendees, including decision-makers from government, civil society, Indigenous Peoples’ Organisations, academia, and business, to advance the conservation and sustainable development agenda. The Congress aims to improve the management of the natural environment for human, social, and economic development, engaging all parts of society to share both the responsibilities and benefits of conservation. Her Excellency Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, highlighted the UAE’s role as a global driver of innovative solutions and comprehensive sustainability. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, emphasised the UAE’s achievements in conservation, including restoring over four million corals, planting 50 million mangroves, and reintroducing the Arabian Oryx, and leading global efforts to bring the Scimitar-horned Oryx back from extinction in the wild.
- https://iucn.org/our-union/iucn-world-conservation-congress – The IUCN World Conservation Congress is held once every four years, bringing together several thousand leaders and decision-makers from government, civil society, indigenous peoples, business, and academia, with the goal of conserving the environment and harnessing the solutions nature offers to global challenges. The Congress aims to improve how we manage our natural environment for human, social, and economic development, but this cannot be achieved by conservationists alone. The IUCN Congress is the place to put aside differences and work together to create good environmental governance, engaging all parts of society to share both the responsibilities and the benefits of conservation. Since 1996, the Congress has grown to include the Forum, open to all, to debate major sustainable development issues, propose solutions, and facilitate the sharing of information and experiences. The IUCN World Conservation Congress has been held in various locations worldwide, including Abu Dhabi in 2025, Marseille in 2021, Hawaiʻi in 2016, Jeju in 2012, Barcelona in 2008, Bangkok in 2004, and others.
- https://iucncongress2025.org/ – The IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 15 October, is a once-every-four-years gathering of nature conservation experts, leaders, and decision-makers from around the world. The Congress aims to set the conservation agenda for the next four years, with over 10,000 participants, more than 1,300 sessions, and over 140 exhibitors. The event focuses on powering transformative conservation and includes various sessions and exhibitions related to conservation efforts.
- https://www.env.go.jp/en/press/press_00617.html – The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)’s World Conservation Congress 2025 was held in Abu Dhabi, UAE, from 9 to 15 October 2025. The Congress brought together over 10,000 attendees, both on-site and online, including representatives from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of the Environment, and NGOs such as the IUCN Japan Committee. During the Members’ Assembly, members approved the 20-year Strategic Vision and a new programme for the next four-year period, conducted IUCN council elections for the role of President as well as Regional Councilors and Commission Chairs, and adopted motions. The ‘Abu Dhabi Call to Action’ was also presented and welcomed.
- https://www.pew.org/en/about/events/2025/pew-at-the-iucn-world-conservation-congress – The International Union for Conservation of Nature’s 2025 World Conservation Congress, held from 9 to 15 October in Abu Dhabi, brought together thousands of government decision-makers, Indigenous and civil society leaders, and environmental advocates—including experts from The Pew Charitable Trusts—from around the world to set the global conservation agenda for the next four years. The Pew Charitable Trusts co-sponsored and supported the adoption of several motions during the Congress, including a motion urging a precautionary pause on any expansion of mesopelagic fishing, which takes place in the ocean’s ‘twilight zone,’ 200 to 1,000 meters below the surface, or other activities that would potentially affect mesopelagic species and ecosystems.
Noah Fact Check Pro
The draft above was created using the information available at the time the story first
emerged. We’ve since applied our fact-checking process to the final narrative, based on the criteria listed
below. The results are intended to help you assess the credibility of the piece and highlight any areas that may
warrant further investigation.
Freshness check
Score:
7
Notes:
The article reports on a recent Framework Partnership Agreement between the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). However, similar partnerships have been established in the past, such as the MoU signed in November 2023 between EAD and ZSL to protect endangered species and habitats ([ead.gov.ae](https://www.ead.gov.ae/en/Media-Centre/News/EAD-and-ZSL-London?utm_source=openai)). This raises questions about the novelty of the current agreement and whether it introduces new initiatives or is a renewal of previous collaborations.
Quotes check
Score:
5
Notes:
The article includes direct quotes from officials like Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri and Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak. However, these quotes cannot be independently verified through the provided sources, as no direct links to the original statements are available. This lack of verifiable sources diminishes the credibility of the quotes.
Source reliability
Score:
6
Notes:
The article originates from UrduPoint, a news outlet that is not widely recognised in the international media landscape. This raises concerns about the reliability and independence of the source. Additionally, the article appears to be summarising information from a press release, which may not provide an independent perspective on the events.
Plausibility check
Score:
7
Notes:
The claims about the EAD and IUCN partnership align with known environmental initiatives in the UAE. However, the lack of independent verification and the potential recycling of previous agreements cast doubt on the novelty and impact of this specific partnership.
Overall assessment
Verdict (FAIL, OPEN, PASS): FAIL
Confidence (LOW, MEDIUM, HIGH): MEDIUM
Summary:
The article reports on a Framework Partnership Agreement between EAD and IUCN, but similar partnerships have been established previously, raising questions about the novelty of this agreement. The reliance on unverified quotes and a summarised press release from a less reputable source further diminishes the article’s credibility. Given these concerns, the article fails to meet the necessary standards for publication.
