UAE demonstrates innovative approach to global conservation at IUCN Congress 2025

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) continues to solidify its standing as a global leader in environmental stewardship, especially through its active participation in the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, which is taking place in Abu Dhabi. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) emphasized the nation’s unwavering commitment to fostering a nature-positive future, leveraging the latest technology, encouraging collaboration across various sectors, and rolling out integrated sustainable development policies.

Central to the UAE’s approach is the smooth integration of innovation and technology with both national and international conservation work. Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, addressed an important Ministerial Panel titled “From Vision to Execution: Leveraging Technology for Nature-Positive Outcomes.” She really underlined how dedicated the UAE is to using advanced tools like artificial intelligence and earth observation satellites to get tangible environmental results. Dr. Al Dahak pointed out that their strategy isn’t just about standalone projects, but about building strong networks that bring together governments, scientists, innovators, private sector players, and local communities. It’s this collective effort—well, at least that’s how I see it—that aims to drive forward biodiversity protection, boost climate resilience, and support sustainable development all at once.

Technology in the UAE is not just a means to an end; it also acts as a catalyst for fostering better collaboration within the country’s governance systems. His Excellency Mohammad Saeed Al Nuaimi, Undersecretary of MOCCAE, spoke at the panel discussing the “Integrating Water, Climate, and Biodiversity Actions.” This session was co-sponsored by the UAE SDG Secretariat and the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi. He shared details about the UAE’s innovative Global SDG Council model, which encourages discussions across different sectors and helps align efforts on SDG 13 (Climate Action), SDG 14 (Life Below Water), and SDG 15 (Life on Land). The idea is to make sure policies aren’t just in silos but are connected thoughtfully, which helps maximize co-benefits. For example, projects on mangrove restoration demonstrate how land rehab, climate action, and marine health reinforce one another effectively.

Another key part of the UAE’s environmental efforts is a focus on data management and the principles of a circular economy. Her Excellency Hiba Obaid Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary of the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at MOCCAE, offered insights on source-to-sea strategies during the “Waste Meets Water: Stories, Solutions, and Strategies for Living Rivers” panel. She stressed that having solid data collection and monitoring systems is crucial—these help in pinpointing pollution hotspots, tracking how waste moves, and assessing the success of cleanup efforts. She pointed to a collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Indonesia, where they’re working on removing 5,000 tonnes of plastic from rivers. This project involved governments, waste management companies, utilities, and local communities teaming up, combining their local knowledge with scientific research to create sustainable waste management solutions.

These initiatives fit within the broader UAE National Agenda for Integrated Waste Management, which aims to promote a circular economy while reducing environmental risks linked to waste. The agenda, launched by the ministry along with local authorities, seeks to streamline waste collection, transportation, and treatment, all while supporting economic sustainability. Additionally, the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators (UICCA) has partnered with the Ministry of Economy to boost innovation and entrepreneurship centered around the circular economy, nurturing a vibrant ecosystem of climate-focused startups.

Hosting the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 also underscores the UAE’s ongoing partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). This collaboration has helped expand initiatives like the Identification of Key Biodiversity Areas Project, which is vital for pinpointing important biodiversity hotspots worldwide and devising strategies to protect them. The Congress itself is a major platform tackling topics like biodiversity loss, climate change, and shifting towards nature-positive economies and societies. It’s a testament to the UAE’s forward-thinking stance on environmental issues, grounded in both technological innovation and cooperative efforts.

To sum up, the UAE’s active engagement at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 highlights a clear focus on blending technology, policy, and partnerships to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals. By fostering cross-sector dialogue—think models like the Global SDG Council—supporting data-driven strategies, and championing circular economy principles, the UAE is paving the way toward a more resilient, nature-positive future. This approach not only benefits their own national priorities but also sets an example globally, showcasing how countries can align conservation with sustainable development—especially in a time when environmental challenges are mounting and urgent.

Source: Noah Wire Services