Abu dhabi: Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD), affirmed that the UAE's efforts to protect biodiversity and nature reserves are witnessing a qualitative leap, highlighting the recent expansions in the emirate's network of protected areas.
According to Emirates News Agency, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan directed an increase in the area of nature reserves in Abu Dhabi to reach 20 percent of the emirate's total area during the IUCN World Conservation Congress in October 2025. This expansion brings the total number of protected areas within the Zayed Protected Areas Network to 26, covering over 22,000 square kilometres.
The expansion includes the designation of three new terrestrial reserves: Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve and Ghaf Natural Reserve. Additionally, it includes the expansion of the Qasr Al Sarab Reserve and the establishment of two new marine reserves: Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve. The Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve will also be expanded.
Al Dhaheri emphasised that this announcement aligns with the UAE's commitment to achieving the 2030 Global Biodiversity Framework and the 30x30 initiative to protect 30 percent of the world's land and oceans. It is also a key part of implementing the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031.
She highlighted the role of smart technologies in preserving protected areas and natural habitats, including satellites and drones for monitoring, tracking devices for species movement, and artificial intelligence for analysing environmental data and predicting risks to facilitate accurate decision-making.
Under the guidance of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the Agency has implemented several initiatives globally. These include the Abu Dhabi Coral Gardens initiative aiming to deploy 40,000 artificial reef modules by 2030 and the coral reefs rehabilitation project targeting the outplanting of more than four million coral colonies in the emirate's waters by 2030. More than 15,000 local Samar trees have also been planted in Jebel Hafeet National Park.