SARA ALZAABI (ABU DHABI)
Emirates Nature–WWF, a UAE-based environmental charity and NGO, is partaking in the Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW) 2025 with a focus on climate action, nature conservation, and the enhancement of food and water security.
Speaking to Aletihad, Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature–WWF, said that at ADSW they aim to forge new partnerships, showcase impactful local conservation projects, and inspire greater ambition toward climate action and biodiversity preservation.
"We have been here for over 25 years, collaborating with a range of organisations both locally and globally. We engage in science-based research, habitat protection, species conservation, and design nature-based solutions. Our partnerships help us pilot projects on the ground, like working with local farmers on sustainable agriculture and ecotourism plans, while also creating economic opportunities linked to environmental protection," she said.
Abdullatif noted that engaging local farmers on sustainable farms, reducing water consumption, and testing climate-resilient crops like Arabian Moringa and Salicornia can support income streams, protect local habitats, as well as provide access to markets.
She highlighted that they are forming strategic alliances with private sector entities, local governments and academia to scale up domestic decarbonisation efforts and ensure a favourable policy landscape for long-term transformative impact of the domestic efforts towards net-zero.
On the role of youth in sustainability, Abdullatif said: "Youth are central to the success of sustainability efforts, as they are the ones who will drive co-created solutions. We have launched digital platforms like 'Connect with Nature' in partnership with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, for biodiversity mapping to support sustainable farming practices. By involving them in these projects, we aim to integrate sustainability into their daily lives and future career paths."
"Our programmes are designed with clear key performance indicators to measure success. We start by assessing the health of ecosystems, such as coastal lagoons, and track changes over time. Monitoring the effectiveness of interventions is key to ensuring that our projects lead to real, lasting impact on the environment," Laila added.