MAYS IBRAHIM (ABU DHABI)
Abu Dhabi's leadership in species conservation took centre stage during the Fifth SSC Leaders' Meeting, hosted by the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD), in partnership with the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) from October 25 to 28.
During the opening ceremony, EAD was honoured by the IUCN Species Survival Commission for improving the scimitar-horned oryx (oryx dammah) status from Extinct in the Wild to Endangered on the IUCN Red List, marking the first such achievement globally after over 20 years of extinction.
EAD's collaboration with Chad's Ministry of Environment and partners has helped oryx numbers exceed 650 in the wild in Chad.
In an interview with Aletihad, Dr. Rima Jabado, Deputy Chair of the IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), commended Abu Dhabi's proactive leadership in species conservation.
"The political will in the UAE has been instrumental in supporting numerous successful initiatives," she stated.
Dr. Jabado pointed to the significant contributions of EAD, particularly in terrestrial conservation, including the restoration of the Arabian oryx and houbara.
Also speaking with Aletihad, Jon Paul Rodriguez, Chair of IUCN Species Survival Commission (SSC), commended EAD's continuous support to the mission of the IUCN's SSC over the past 15 years.
The 5th SSC Leaders' Meeting, which gathers over 300 experts in species conservation, to address the interconnected crises of biodiversity loss, climate change, and human wellbeing.
This year's meeting emphasises the regenerative capacity of nature and the vital roles that various organisms - animals, fungi, and plants - play in restoring ecosystems and combating global crises.
Dr. Jabado acknowledged ongoing threats to conservation efforts, particularly from anthropogenic activities and climate change, which diminish the resilience of species and ecosystems.
"This meeting will allow us to discuss these challenges, learn from one another, and explore collaborative strategies for species that share ecosystems or face similar threats," Dr. Jabado explained.
She expressed optimism that the gathering would lead to productive partnerships and a concrete declaration outlining collective priorities for conservation.
Rodriguez, Chair of the IUCN SSC, echoed these sentiments, emphasising the importance of this meeting as a platform for learning and sharing experiences.
Rodriguez highlighted the "biodiversity paradox" as a major challenge to global conservation efforts.
He explained that while biological biodiversity is primarily concentrated in tropical regions, most human, financial, and institutional resources are located at higher latitudes both north and south.
It's necessary to address this disconnect and align resources with the areas where biodiversity is highest, according to Rodriguez.
He added that the global expenditure on activities that harm nature far exceeds that on conservation efforts.
Shifting even a small portion of funding towards supporting nature's recovery can make a huge difference, Rodriguez noted.
"This doesn't require massive investments; rather, it's about adjusting the balance slightly. While the decline in species may not be steep overall, even a small change in that trend could help reverse it and promote recovery," he added.