Abu Dhabi: This year, Emirates Nature-WWF celebrates a significant milestone in the UAE's environmental journey, marking 25 years of impactful conservation work. Inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, the Founding Father of the UAE, the organization continues to be guided by his visionary belief in the interconnectedness of nature and humanity.
According to Emirates News Agency, Sheikh Zayed's environmental vision laid the foundation for the UAE's sustainable nation-building model, integrating environmental stewardship with economic and social development. His legacy emphasized conservation, responsible resource management, and cross-border philanthropy, setting a global precedent for aligning environmental priorities with economic and societal advancement. In 1997, Sheikh Zayed became the first Head of State to receive the WWF's Golden Panda Award, acknowledging his contributions to global conservation. This accolade paved the way for the establishment of Emirates Nature-WWF, the first WWF affiliate with a permanent presence in the Middle East, underscoring the UAE's commitment to locally grounded, globally informed conservation efforts.
The organization has actively worked across the UAE to protect ecosystems, promote climate action, enhance food and water security, and inspire environmental stewardship through community collaboration. Initiatives have included blue carbon assessments, restored falaj systems, climate-smart farming, and eco-tourism models, reflecting a shared commitment to inclusive, community-driven action aligned with the UAE's Year of Community.
To commemorate this 25-year journey, Emirates Nature-WWF is hosting the WWF Asia Pacific (AP25) Regional Conference in the UAE for the first time. The high-level event brought together over 30 countries to chart a unified path towards nature-positive development and climate resilience across the Asia Pacific. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Chairman of Emirates Nature-WWF, emphasized the organization's commitment to environmental stewardship and regional impact through partnerships.
Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, reiterated the UAE's commitment to addressing climate change and environmental protection both domestically and globally. She recognized the importance of cross-sector partnerships for creating a resilient, climate-safe future and praised Emirates Nature-WWF's outstanding conservation efforts over the past 25 years.
The conference opened with a gala dinner, attended by high-level guests, including UAE ministers, regional conservation leaders, and global philanthropists. Held under the patronage of Erth Zayed Philanthropies, the event highlighted the importance of collective giving for long-term impact. Themed "Mobilizing Partnerships to Shape Disaster and Climate Resilience Across the Asia Pacific," the event featured keynote speeches and a Spotlight Dialogue on Strategic Philanthropy, bringing together distinguished leaders from the UAE and the Asia Pacific region.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director-General of Emirates Nature-WWF and Chair of WWF AP25, emphasized the need for transformational solutions to address complex challenges. She highlighted the organization's commitment to working with communities, governments, partners, and youth to deliver lasting impact, while catalyzing action across borders, inspired by Sheikh Zayed's vision of the inseparability of nature and humanity.
The event underscored Abu Dhabi's role as a global hub for strategic philanthropy and nature-based solutions, marking a new chapter for Emirates Nature-WWF as a regional catalyst for powerful, cross-border partnerships to accelerate impact for climate, nature, and communities across the Asia Pacific.