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In her statement, Dr Al Dahak encouraged the public to reflect on the UAE’s progress in mangrove conservation, calling mangroves “a natural shield against rising seas, coastal erosion, and the impacts of climate change.” She noted that mangroves act as powerful carbon sinks, capable of storing up to four times more carbon than other tropical forests.
Mangroves, she added, support rich biodiversity and serve as essential habitats for marine life. The UAE’s national strategy aligns with leadership foresight to grow and protect these ecosystems both locally and globally.
Dr Al Dahak described mangroves as instrumental to achieving the UAE’s Net Zero by 2050 target. Under the UAE’s Biodiversity Strategy 2031, the nation aims to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030, with support from communities, industry, and government sectors.
Highlighting international collaboration, Dr Al Dahak referenced the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC), now comprising 45 member entities. The UAE’s endorsement of the Mangrove Breakthrough aims to mobilize global financial support for restoration and encourage joint action to safeguard mangroves.
She also announced the upcoming Mohamed bin Zayed–Joko Widodo International Mangrove Research Centre in Bali as a major step toward enhancing global mangrove research and conservation efforts.
Dr Al Dahak pointed to the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi this October as a key moment to drive global ecological resilience and policy progress, especially for mangrove ecosystems.
She concluded by urging the public to value and protect mangroves: “We must act decisively to protect them and reverse their decline, for their vitality is intrinsically tied to our own.”
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