As part of the Year of Sustainability and in preparation for hosting COP28, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE organized a preparatory workshop to update the National Biodiversity Strategy (NBS) and its action plan in line with international guidelines and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

The NBS focuses on mainstreaming biodiversity in all economic and social sectors; reinforcement of knowledge sharing and capacity building for upgrading and addressing biodiversity management; improvement of biodiversity status through habitat protection, genetic diversity and restoration of degraded ecosystems; reducing pressure on marine and terrestrial biodiversity; and enhancing regional and international cooperation on biodiversity cross-cutting issues.

As part of the workshop, the ministry reviewed the efforts of the UAE in biodiversity and the progress made in implementing the strategy 2014–2021. It discussed the vision and updated mission of the NBS in 2031.

Attending the workshop, H.E. Dr Mohammed Salman Al Hammadi, Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity & Marine Life Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, said, “The UAE has worked to enhance and intensify efforts to conserve and protect biodiversity through an integrated political and legislative system. In previous years, it has launched numerous projects, programs, and initiatives that promote environmental protection, involving all segments of society in achieving this goal.”

The workshop recognized the success of various international and local entities and their efforts, including the United Nations Environment Programme – West Asia Office, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dubai Municipality, Fujairah Environment Agency – Fujairah, Dibba Al Fujairah Municipality, and the Emirates Environmental Group. 

It presented the objectives of international, national, and local strategies and action plans to reflect and align them with the NBS. It reviewed the framework of the Ministry of Cabinet Affairs and familiarized participants with the global Kunming-Montreal Framework for Biodiversity and discussed the outputs of the working-groups for NBS. The second such workshop will be organized in the third quarter of 2023.