Abu dhabi: The Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority (DECCA) has announced the launch of a strategic project in partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Regional Office for West Asia (IUCN ROWA), to develop and implement an integrated plan for Dubai's nature reserve network.
According to Emirates News Agency, the project aims to establish a science-based framework to assess the current status of Dubai's reserves. The first phase of the work programme is set to take one full year to complete, paving the way for their development according to international best practices to ensure biodiversity sustainability and enhance community well-being.
The strategic collaboration was unveiled during the inaugural Dubai Environment Conference and Exhibition 2026, attended by Ahmed Mohammed bin Thani, Director-General of the Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority, and Dr. Hany El Shaer, Regional Director of IUCN West Asia office. This initiative aligns with the leadership's vision to make Dubai a global model for sustainable development, integrating modernity with the protection of natural resources.
The project encompasses all areas of environmental importance, including the eight existing reserves, while exploring future expansion opportunities aligned with the Dubai 2040 Urban Master Plan. It aims to transform these reserves from separate, independently managed locations into a unified network, managed according to clear objectives and approved international standards.
Bin Thani stated that the initiative is not merely a management plan but a roadmap for Dubai's future where global ambitions meet ancient natural heritage. The 'Dubai Integrated Plan for Nature Reserves' is seen as a cornerstone in the journey toward building a smart, interconnected network of reserves based on scientific foundations and innovative practices.
He emphasized the importance of protecting wildlife as essential to securing the future, enhancing ecosystem services, and reinforcing Dubai's role as a global leader in addressing climate change. This project is seen as a commitment to future generations, ensuring Dubai remains a green oasis where nature thrives alongside innovation.
El Shaer highlighted that the project does not adopt a ready-made model but builds global standards upon a local environmental reality. The mission is to collaborate with DECCA to list Dubai's natural reserves on the IUCN Green List, ensuring long-term sustainability.
The project involves a broad participatory methodology, with national workshops involving experts, private sector representatives, local communities, and youth. The aim is to ensure the reserve plan reflects community needs and fosters participation in environmental conservation. Dubai will leverage IUCN expertise in applying the "Green List" for protected areas, achieving the highest global certification for management effectiveness.
The initiative extends beyond environmental benefits to become a driver for the Green Economy in the Emirate. It aims to develop sustainable tourism, offering unique eco-tourism experiences that preserve natural spaces and create job opportunities in environmental guiding, resource management, and nature-related research.
Additionally, the project enhances public health and quality of life by providing developed natural spaces, reinforcing the concept of "Ecosystem Services" such as air purification and climate regulation.
The cooperation between the Authority and the Union involves two integrated tracks: strengthening Dubai's nature reserves network and modernising the legislative framework. The first track focuses on a comprehensive assessment to establish a baseline for reserves' status, including habitat representation and resilience to climate change. The second track, based on this assessment, aims to modernise the legislative framework, clarifying community roles and conservation mechanisms.
The Dubai Environment and Climate Change Authority manages eight nature reserves in the Emirate: Hatta Mountain Reserve, Al Marmoom Desert Conservation Reserve, Ghaf Nazwa Conservation Reserve, Jebel Nazwa Conservation Reserve, Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, Jebel Ali Wildlife Sanctuary, Dubai Desert Conservation Reserve, and Al Wohoosh Desert Conservation Reserve.