In a serious step towards environmental preservation, President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has ordered a major enlargement of protected pure areas in Abu Dhabi. The emirate will now designate 20% of its land as nature reserves, including new zones and lengthening current ones. The transfer aligns with the UAE’s internet hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 and underscores the nation’s rising management in world sustainability efforts.
Enlargement overview – A serious improve in protected lands
As per the directive issued by President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the overall space of nature reserves in Abu Dhabi will now cowl 20% of the emirate’s landmass, up from earlier allocations. This enlargement provides 4,581 sq. kilometres of newly designated protected areas to the prevailing community.These areas will fall underneath the administration of the Setting Company – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and can be formally included into the Zayed Protected Areas Community. This community beforehand consisted of 13 terrestrial and 6 marine reserves. With the most recent additions, the overall variety of protected areas rises to 26, spanning a mixed space of twenty-two,821 sq. kilometres.
New and expanded reserves – Particulars of the additions
The reserve enlargement consists of the creation of 5 new protected zones and the enlargement of two current ones, overlaying each land and marine ecosystems.New Terrestrial Reserves:
New Marine Reserves:
Expanded Reserves:
Timing and significance – Aligned with a landmark world occasionThe announcement coincides with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, which was held for the primary time within the area from 9 to fifteen October 2025 on the ADNEC Centre, Abu Dhabi. The occasion is collectively organised by:
Internet hosting this congress marks a historic second for the UAE, inserting it on the centre of worldwide environmental dialogue and motion.
Nationwide imaginative and prescient and management – Reinforcing UAE’s world environmental function
Senior Emirati officers have framed the enlargement as a mirrored image of the UAE’s strategic dedication to conservation.
Strategic alignment – Supporting the nationwide biodiversity technique 2031
The reserve enlargement helps the objectives of the Nationwide Biodiversity Technique 2031, a framework that integrates nature conservation with local weather motion. In response to the EAD, the technique is structured round six key pillars, together with:
The technique represents a holistic method to making sure long-term environmental well being, sustainability, and resilience within the UAE.
