Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the Minister of Climate Change and Environment, led a delegation from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) to represent the UAE at the UN Biodiversity COP16 in Cali, Colombia. The Conference of Parties, running from October 21 to November 1, 2024, marks two years of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, which aims to establish a path toward a world living in harmony with nature by 2050.

Discussing the significance of COP16 and the UAE’s commitment to biodiversity, Dr. Al Dahak stated, “Biodiversity runs through every element of our climate action. In the UAE, we have made significant progress in protecting our biodiversity. We have adopted a 360-degree, whole of society approach from enacting legislation and monitoring its implementation, establishing and expanding protected areas as well as protecting, breeding and reintroducing endangered species into their natural habitats.”

Dr. Al Dahak participated in an Informal Meeting of the Advisory Committee on Local Governments for Biodiversity of the Convention on Biological Diversity. In her speech, she highlighted the UAE’s efforts to protect and enhance biodiversity, urging member states to strengthen their commitment to the Global Biodiversity Framework and emphasizing the urgent need for collaborative action.

Highlighting the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, Dr. Al Dahak underscored the essential role of collaboration in addressing climate challenges. She elaborated on the UAE’s domestic initiatives, such as the pledge to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 and the Plant the Emirates National Programme.

In another engagement, Dr. Al Dahak participated in a discussion about Advancing the Marine Conservation Breakthroughs: Connecting Global Action to Scale Nature-Based Solutions. She shared insights into the UAE’s commitment to marine conservation, discussing policy frameworks, national strategies, and innovative financing mechanisms aimed at boosting underwater life. She reiterated the importance of global cooperation in protecting oceans and marine ecosystems.

Dr. Al Dahak addressed the UAE’s achievements in meeting Marine Conservation Breakthrough targets and enhancing marine biodiversity as part of its Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) and National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).

Additionally, Dr. Al Dahak attended the One Water Summit: Ministerial Event on Freshwater Ecosystems, where she participated in a panel discussion focused on the significance of freshwater in implementing the Global Biodiversity Framework. She elaborated on the COP28 Water Agenda, which prioritizes the conservation and restoration of freshwater ecosystems, enhancing urban water resilience, and bolstering water-resilient food systems. She also highlighted the Freshwater Challenge, the Mohamed bin Zayed Water Initiative, and the UAE’s commitment of US$150 million in new funding for water security solutions in fragile communities.

Dr. Al Dahak detailed the UAE’s Water Security Strategy, emphasizing the nation’s leadership in desalination, wastewater treatment, and smart irrigation systems. She stressed that collaborative efforts to unlock financing and foster innovative solutions are essential for addressing global water challenges.

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The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment participated in various engagements at COP16 to showcase the UAE’s National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and the country’s progress in achieving its biodiversity goals aligned with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The MOCCAE delegation highlighted the UAE’s achievements in identifying Key Biodiversity Areas (KBAs) and showcased unique sites that significantly contribute to global and regional conservation efforts. They shared insights on the nation’s initiatives for conserving freshwater ecosystems, emphasizing collaboration across international agreements and the vital role of sustainable water management in enhancing regional biodiversity resilience.

As part of the Freshwater Challenge, the UAE committed to restoring freshwater ecosystems and wetlands and presented ambitious freshwater ecosystem restoration goals, which will be highlighted at the upcoming 2026 UN Water Conference.

COP16 also saw notable advancements in mangrove conservation. The second technical meeting of the UAE’s Mangroves Alliance for Climate (MAC) partnership with Indonesia took place in Colombia on October 23. The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment chaired this meeting, presenting a comprehensive overview of the proposed Mangrove Alliance for Climate Strategy 2031 to MAC members. Participants discussed key objectives of the strategy and shared progress, seeking feedback to refine the final document, which will be introduced at COP29.

The meeting featured contributions from representatives of Bahrain, Chile, France, Oman, Maldives, Philippines, Japan, and the UK, who discussed their challenges and priorities while making recommendations for enhanced support for mangrove conservation.

The UAE shared engagement strategies, including surveys, webinars, workshops, and direct communication with the MAC secretariat, to boost participation ahead of COP29. These efforts underscored the UAE’s dedication to climate resilience, actionable conservation targets, and its commitment to fostering peer-to-peer learning in the protection of natural ecosystems.

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