His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has instructed an increase in the area of natural reserves in Abu Dhabi to 20% of the emirate’s total land, coinciding with the Global Conservation Conference 2025. This initiative reinforces the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and environmental preservation on a global scale.
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency will oversee the new reserves, expanding their total area to 4,581 square kilometers. This will complement the existing Zayed Network of Protected Areas, which currently includes 13 land reserves and 6 marine reserves, bringing the overall number of protected sites to 26 and the total area to 22,821 square kilometers.
Abu Dhabi will host the “Global Conservation Conference 2025,” organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, under the theme “Enhancing Quality Efforts for Nature Conservation,” in partnership with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency. The conference will take place from October 9 to 15, 2025, at the Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Center.
Three new land reserves will be established: the Fossil Dunes of Al Wathba, the Liwa Aquifer Reserve, and the Ghaf Nature Reserve. Additionally, the Sir Bani Yas Reserve will be expanded, and two new marine reserves will be announced: the Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and the Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve, along with an expansion of the Ras Ghanadah Marine Reserve.
His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Representative of the Ruler in the Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, remarked, “The directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan to expand the natural reserves in Abu Dhabi reflect our leadership’s vision toward environmental conservation and sustainability. This effort plays a crucial role in protecting biodiversity and preserving ecosystems for future generations.”
He expressed confidence that this initiative would elevate Abu Dhabi’s status globally as a leader in environmental action, continuing the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in preserving nature and promoting sustainability values.
His Excellency Mohamed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, stated, “The President’s directives symbolize the UAE’s steadfast commitment to biodiversity preservation and protecting living organisms across the emirate. By expanding natural reserves, we support the development of innovative programs for wildlife conservation and ensure our natural environment’s sustainability for future generations.”
Dr. Sheikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Abu Dhabi Environment Agency, noted, “The directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will significantly advance environmental efforts in Abu Dhabi. They reflect the UAE’s dedication to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030, aimed at accelerating conservation initiatives and reaching the 30×30 goal by 2030. This commitment enhances our leadership’s vision of balancing sustainable development with nature conservation, positioning the emirate as a global model in environmental action.”
The Abu Dhabi Environment Agency confirmed that the directives from His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan aim to initiate a new phase in environmental leadership by focusing on ecological protection, fostering sustainability, restoring coastal and marine ecosystems, safeguarding biodiversity, and mitigating climate change impacts, among other strategic objectives.
These directives support the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031, which provides a comprehensive vision for nature conservation and climate action. It focuses on six strategic directions related to biodiversity conservation, emphasizing the importance of protecting and monitoring areas critical for biodiversity and rehabilitating ecologically significant terrestrial and marine areas. It also aims to reduce the impacts of climate change and disaster risks on biodiversity and enhance its resilience to environmental challenges.