Preserving Biodiversity: How the UAE is Leading the Way with Innovative Approaches Aligned with Global Targets

 

Preserving biodiversity is a crucial issue in today's world, and the United Arab Emirates (UAE) is taking significant steps to address it. The country has a comprehensive and innovative approach to preserving biodiversity, aligning with the Aichi Biodiversity Targets and the Sustainable Development Goals.

The UAE's National Biodiversity Strategy includes five strategic guidelines and 21 national targets, formulated in line with the UAE Vision 2021. These guidelines and targets aim to address environmental threats, such as invasive species, carbon footprints, overfishing, waste generation, and land degradation, which pose significant risks to the UAE's unique and fragile ecosystems.

One of the key elements of the UAE's strategy is the establishment and expansion of protected areas. The country has created several protected areas to conserve its rich biodiversity, including the Jebel Hafeet National Park, the Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Wadi Wurayah National Park. These protected areas provide habitats for various threatened and endangered species, such as the Arabian Oryx and the Hawksbill Turtle.

The UAE is also protecting breeding and reintroducing endangered species into their natural habitats through various programs. For example, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has established a breeding program for the critically endangered Hawksbill Turtle, and the Dubai Municipality has released captive-bred Houbara bustards into the wild.

Another critical effort is the UAE's City Biodiversity Index, a self-assessment tool for cities to benchmark and monitor their progress in conserving biodiversity. The Abu Dhabi City Biodiversity Index helps the emirate evaluate progress in reducing the rate of biodiversity loss in urban ecosystems and measure the ecological footprint of cities.

The UAE is also making strides in preserving its plant species. The country has established gene banks for plants' genetic resources, including the Abu Dhabi Plant Genetics Resources Centre and the UAE University's Khalifa Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology. These initiatives aim to document and preserve native plants and cultivate them in captivity to reintroduce them back to nature if they become extinct in the wild.

Through these initiatives and more, the UAE is committed to promoting and preserving biodiversity. The country's efforts align with the Year of Sustainability in 2023, demonstrating its dedication to creating a sustainable future for generations to come.

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