Abu dhabi: Emirates Nature-WWF held its Annual General Assembly, bringing together its Board of Directors to mark the organisation's 25th anniversary and shape the next chapter. Under the Chairmanship of Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, the Board formally approved a new 2030 strategy-a national roadmap for conservation, community resilience, and sustainable livelihoods, rooted in the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan and the UAE's enduring commitment to its land, seas, and people.
According to Emirates News Agency, the Assembly also welcomed Sheikh Fahim bin Sultan bin Khalid Al Qasimi, Executive Chairman of Government Relations of Sharjah, as a newly appointed Board Member, bringing deep institutional experience and a long-standing commitment to public service across the UAE. The General Assembly was led by Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, together with Chief Operating Officer Manal Bahman and Chief Conservation Officer Marina Antonopoulou.
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Chairman of Emirates Nature-WWF, stated, "For 25 years, Emirates Nature-WWF has stood in service of this nation-in the belief that the strength of our country is inseparable from the health of our land, our waters, and our wildlife. We are a resilient nation. We have shown that, time and again. And it is this same resilience-built into our farms, our coasts, our communities-that our strategy is designed to deepen and protect. We enter this next chapter with humility, with purpose and with pride in what we are building together, here, in the UAE."
Emirates Nature-WWF's vision focuses on people conserving nature, building resilient communities, and shaping sustainable livelihoods and economies. The organisation's newly approved 2030 strategy is built around three outcomes to deliver on that vision: safeguarding and regenerating nature by conserving and reviving critical ecosystems and biodiversity; accelerating climate action by advancing sustainable, low-carbon pathways that integrate climate and nature solutions into policy and practice; and catalysing resilient communities and livelihoods by delivering innovative, community-led models that support nature-positive enterprises and economic opportunity.
The strategy is underpinned by four strategic pillars-Nature and Wildlife, Food and Water Security, Climate Action, and Resilience and Preparedness-and driven through deep local community engagement, citizen science, and volunteerism, with an expanding coalition of partners across government, business, and civil society. It emphasizes what is made, grown, and restored in the UAE, from the revival of heritage mountain farms and traditional falaj irrigation systems to the restoration of coastal fishing grounds and the conservation of mangrove ecosystems across the Emirates. This approach invests in local communities, landscapes, traditional knowledge, and cultural heritage, aligning with the UAE Cabinet's priorities, including national food security and community wellbeing.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF, commented, "This strategy is our commitment to the UAE-to its inhabitants, its land, its seas, and its future. We are proud of what we have built over 25 years. And we are even more determined about what comes next. Every farm, every mangrove, every fishing ground we restore is part of this country's resilience. We intend to grow that, together with our partners."
The General Assembly reviewed a strong year of conservation achievement across the UAE, including the rediscovery of the Arabian Caracal at Wadi Wurayah National Park, restoration of traditional Emirati mountain farms, and the creation of the UAE's first Shu'a fragrance line from locally grown Arabian Moringa. Across the Emirates, over 270 community events were held, collecting 40,000 valuable data points about biodiversity and ecosystems and contributing 16,000 volunteer hours for nature. Rooted in the wisdom of Sheikh Zayed and guided by the vision of today's leadership, Emirates Nature-WWF moves forward in service of the land, the sea, and the people of the UAE.