Environment

Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, underscored the critical importance of this year’s World Environment Day theme, which focuses on drought, desertification, and land restoration. She highlighted the profound impact these issues have on various sectors and the urgency of rehabilitating degraded land, particularly in desert nations like the UAE.

"Our land. Our future. We are #GenerationRestoration," Dr. Al Dahak stated, reflecting on the global commitment to sustainable practices. She emphasized that this year’s theme encapsulates the dedication required to innovate and drive sustainable economic growth. The UAE has firsthand experience of the adverse effects of climate change and is actively working to mitigate these impacts through strategic initiatives.

Dr. Al Dahak detailed the UAE's efforts to align with the UN’s Sustainable Development Goal 15 (Life on Land). The UAE’s National Adaptation Plan and Biodiversity Strategy focus on protecting and rehabilitating degraded land. Notably, the UAE has committed to planting an additional 100 million mangroves by 2030 and has launched the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) in partnership with Indonesia. The initiative, supported by a $10 million investment, aims to enhance mangrove conservation and resilience.

At COP28, the UAE announced a formal partnership between MAC and the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative to halt mangrove destruction by 2030. This collaboration involves 49 governments and over 50 non-state actors, representing 60% of the world’s mangroves. The initiative is set to invest $17 billion in climate-smart agriculture and food systems through the AIM for Climate global initiative with the US.

"As a desert nation, we recognize water as a precious resource," Dr. Al Dahak noted. She highlighted the Mohamed bin Zayed Water initiative, launched to address global water scarcity and promote technological innovation to combat drought. This initiative aims to drive investment and provide sustainable solutions for future generations.

Dr. Al Dahak concluded by emphasizing the importance of collaboration in protecting and restoring land to transform economies and promote sustainable growth.

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