Abu dhabi: The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has established a significant partnership with the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) by signing a Framework Partnership Agreement. This collaboration, initiated under the directives of H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of EAD, marks a pioneering move as EAD becomes the first entity in West Asia to secure this level of institutional partnership.
According to Emirates News Agency, this agreement is set to enhance a long-standing collaboration that has been instrumental in advancing conservation science, species protection, and global dialogue for nearly two decades. The signing ceremony witnessed the presence of prominent figures, including Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of EAD's Board of Directors, and Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN.
Through this partnership, EAD is poised to contribute significantly to IUCN's global agenda, focusing on strategic priorities and scientific programmes. Over the next four years, EAD will support international efforts in biodiversity conservation, species recovery, ecosystem protection, and nature-positive development. These priorities will be translated into sustained institutional commitments.
EAD has been an IUCN member since 2012 and has actively collaborated with its global network across various programmes. Notably, since 2008, EAD has hosted every IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC) Leaders' Meeting, reinforcing a relationship that has contributed to key global initiatives, such as the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species and the Abu Dhabi Red List of Ecosystems. EAD has also collaborated with IUCN on identifying Key Biodiversity Areas and developing the UAE National Invasive Species Strategy and Action Plan.
The agreement builds on the momentum from the eighth IUCN World Conservation Congress held in Abu Dhabi in October 2025. This landmark event brought together over 10,000 delegates from governments, civil society, indigenous peoples, the private sector, and academia.
EAD's Framework Partnership is a direct response to the Abu Dhabi Call to Action, committing to a long-term, multi-year engagement across the congress's five priority areas. These areas include reaffirming nature as a foundation for human and planetary well-being, strengthening multilateralism, fostering inclusive participation, advancing science and innovation, and aligning resources for nature and climate action.
The partnership continues more than five decades of environmental stewardship inspired by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. This legacy has resulted in twenty percent of the emirate being under protection through the Zayed Network of Protected Areas, which includes 18 terrestrial and six marine reserves. Significant achievements include the rise in dugong and turtle populations, the planting of over 51 million mangrove seedlings, and the reintroduction of the Scimitar-horned Oryx in Chad.
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD, emphasized the significance of this partnership in aligning with the Global Biodiversity Framework's 2030 targets, highlighting the agency's commitment to measurable outcomes for biodiversity and ecosystems.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, acknowledged Abu Dhabi's commitment as a testament to the UAE's dedication to nature, reflecting the direction set by the IUCN World Conservation Congress and the Abu Dhabi Call to Action.
Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of IUCN, praised the partnership for its commitment to protecting nature, expressing gratitude for EAD's role as a strategic partner in achieving lasting outcomes for nature and people.