On this International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, we take a moment to celebrate our progress and reaffirm our commitment to strengthening these precious natural assets.
I invite you to observe the spectacular and majestic mangroves that line our coast. They form a natural shield against rising seas, coastal erosion, and the impacts of climate change. They offer immense value as powerful carbon sinks, capable of storing up to four times more carbon than other tropical forests. Mangroves also support rich biodiversity, providing a lifeline to fish and countless other creatures, offering essential food and shelter. Our national outlook, deeply aligned with the foresight of our leadership, is to develop these ecosystems within our country and across the globe.
As nature-based solutions to climate change, we consider mangrove ecosystems instrumental in reaching our Net Zero target by 2050. To achieve this, and in line with the UAE’s Biodiversity Strategy 2030, we are taking steady, deliberate steps towards fulfilling our ambitious target of planting 100 million mangroves by 2030, encouraging the contributions of our community, industry, and both the private and public sectors, all united in this shared endeavour.
Our global partnerships have been instrumental in advancing this mission. The Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), which now comprises 45 members,exemplifies this collaborative spirit. Through MAC, the UAE has endorsed the Mangrove Breakthrough, which seeks to mobilise global financial resources for mangrove restoration and calls for accelerated action from governments, the private sector, and non-state actors to protect mangroves under threat. Furthermore, the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed-Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre in Bali will mark a major step in preserving mangrove ecosystems globally.
The forthcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi this October represents a strategic opportunity to accelerate global conservation efforts. It will be a platform to advance solutions that build ecological resilience, champion progressive policy, and cultivate the conditions necessary for flourishing biodiversity, including within our critical mangrove habitats.
I urge you all to appreciate and recognise the indispensable role of mangroves. We must act decisively to protect them and reverse their decline, for their vitality is intrinsically tied to our own.