Mays Ibrahim (ABU DHABI)
The world's first International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference (IMCRC), led by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, (EAD), kicked off in the UAE capital on Tuesday, bringing together over 500 delegates including scientists, policymakers, academics, researchers and environmental leaders.
This conference seeks to drive the development of innovative strategies for mangrove restoration, leveraging cutting-edge science, advanced technology and global collaboration to address the dual challenges of biodiversity loss and climate change.
It also serves as a platform to share knowledge, explore best practices, and foster global partnerships to protect and restore one of the planet's most vital ecosystems.
Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the managing director of EAD, in her keynote speech said that this inaugural event is a testament to the visionary leadership of Abu Dhabi and the UAE in environmental stewardship.
"Mangroves, with their unmatched ability to store carbon, shield coastlines and sustain biodiversity, are critical in addressing the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change. Yet, they face unprecedented threats, with 50% of mangrove ecosystems at risk of collapse by 2050."
She noted that this conference is not only a call to action but a celebration of the opportunities ahead to "reverse this trajectory" through collective action and global initiatives like the Mangrove Breakthrough, supported by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the Global Mangrove Alliance.
She urged the gathering of experts and stakeholders to draw inspiration from the resilience of mangroves in tackling current challenges to secure a sustainable future.
"These ecosystems remind us of the strength that lies in unity and interconnectedness. By protecting, restoring and investing in mangroves, we can create a lasting legacy for future generations and ensure that these extraordinary ecosystems continue to support life on Earth."
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, the general secretary of EAD, said the conference was an "ideal platform" to address challenges facing mangrove systems through international collaboration.
"Hosting this event during the UAE's second 'Year of Sustainability' underscores our collective responsibility towards a sustainable future. Mangroves are nature's fortress and our unsung heroes – from carbon sinks to protectors of coastlines and havens of biodiversity," she said.
Dr. Al Dhaheri further elaborated on Abu Dhabi's pioneering efforts in mangrove restoration and conservation, employing science-based and innovative approaches. She noted that a mapping study revealed the mangrove cover in Abu Dhabi had increased from over 9,100 hectares in 1987 to 17,600 hectares by 2020.
She also commended the visionary leadership of the UAE's founding father, Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, which laid the foundation for the nation's environmental stewardship.
"This conference is a tribute to Sheikh Zayed's legacy and his vision of inclusivity - a vision that focused not only on nation-building but also on nature-building," she said.
"By nurturing our ecosystems and healing our planet, we can leave our own legacies for future generations."
Dr. Andrew Terry, Director of Conservation and Policy at the Zoological Society of London (ZSL), highlighted the vital functions that mangroves perform for both people and wildlife, describing them as "natural superheroes".
"Over the last decade, we have witnessed a massive increase in interest in supporting mangrove recovery, particularly from the private sector and through inter-governmental processes. We need to make sure that these efforts are evidence-led and locally equitable."
The Zoological Society of London has been a founding partner of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative and a co-organiser of this inaugural conference.
The Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative was launched in 2022 as a comprehensive platform for local and international mangrove and blue carbon conservation projects.
The initiative integrates cutting-edge technology for restoration and monitoring, implemented since 2020.
"Our commitment is to contribute all our experience of over 30 years of mangrove conservation to support the sharing of best practice and knowledge to drive up the recovery of these vital habitats," Terry noted.
The IMCRC is marking the UAE's 2nd Year of Sustainability, under the framework of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI) and Abu Dhabi's Climate Change Strategy.
It is organised by EAD in cooperation with several environmental organisations and scientific bodies including: the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP); the United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration; the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO); University of St. Andrews and the Global Ocean Decade Programme for Blue Carbon; the Global Mangrove Alliance; Mangrove Action Project; the IUCN Mangrove Specialist Group, ZSL Wetlands International, and Emirates Nature-WWF.