Abu dhabi: Under the patronage of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, H.H. Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Abu Dhabi Executive Council, has inaugurated the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi. The event, themed Powering Transformative Conservation, is being held for the first time in the GCC region.
According to Emirates News Agency, H.H. Sheikh Khaled emphasized that environmental protection is integral to the UAE’s development journey, establishing the nation as a global model in conserving nature and ensuring resource sustainability. The UAE has a distinguished record in nature conservation, highlighted by initiatives in ecosystem restoration, endangered species protection, and an expanding network of protected areas covering over 15 percent of the UAE’s total land area.
Sheikh Khaled further stressed that the UAE’s leadership places sustainability at the core of its future vision, recognizing the importance of environmental balance for sustainable development and the wellbeing of future generations.
The Congress saw attendance from key figures, including Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan, Dr Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Sheikh Shakhboot Nahyan Al Nahyan, Dr Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Sara Awad Musallam, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, and Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri. Global conservation leaders present included Surangel Whipps Jr, Her Royal Highness Princess Lalla Hasnaa, Prince Tengku Hassanal Ibrahim Alam Shah, Dr Sylvia Earle, Juan Carlos Navarro, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, and Dr Musonda Mumba.
The UAE’s hosting of the Congress underscores its leadership as a supporter of international cooperation in environmental action. These efforts align with the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031 and reflect the UAE’s commitment to preserving the environment and safeguarding its natural heritage.
Internationally, the UAE supports sustainability efforts, contributing to nature-based solutions, renewable energy adoption, and global food and water security. Through hosting major environmental events and forming global partnerships, the UAE demonstrates its dedication to advancing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and achieving climate and nature goals by 2030.
The IUCN, as the largest global environmental network, brings together various stakeholders to advance nature conservation solutions. The Congress in Abu Dhabi serves as a platform for shaping global policy and fostering collaboration toward a sustainable future, highlighting the UAE’s role as a catalyst for international cooperation and innovation in environmental protection.