H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chair of the Board of Directors of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), has reiterated EAD’s dedication to conserving the environment and its biodiversity, seen as a unique natural heritage ingrained in the consciousness of the UAE populace, bolstered by their intimate connection with the environment and its natural resources.
As the environment forms an integral part of the UAE national identity and represents a cornerstone of their culture and natural legacy, EAD’s commitment underscores its eagerness to safeguard them, aiming to bolster Abu Dhabi’s stature and leadership in environmental endeavors.
His Highness’ remarks coincided with World Environment Day as he presided over a session of EAD’s Board of Directors, where he commended the unwavering support and attention EAD receives from President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who announced the extension of the Year of Sustainability until 2024.
Highlighting that this support affirms Abu Dhabi’s cultural ethos, which prioritizes ensuring a healthy environment for all, His Highness emphasized the collective efforts of government bodies and private sector entities in aligning with the wise leadership’s vision and direction regarding sustainability imperatives across all sectors.
The meeting, held at Nakheel Palace, saw the presence of Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak Al Shamsi, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, Dr. Mugheer Khamis Al Khaili, Chairman of the Department of Community Development (DCD), Staff Major General Pilot Faris Khalaf Al Mazrouei, Commander-in-Chief of Abu Dhabi Police, Mohamed Ali Al Shorafa, Chairman of Department of Municipalities and Transport (DMT), Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD, and Musabbeh Al Kaabi, Executive Director of Low Carbon Solutions and International Growth Directorate at ADNOC.
His Highness was briefed during the session on EAD’s strategy to incorporate artificial intelligence into its environmental initiatives by 2030, aiming to become the first environmental entity to delve into this realm leveraging national expertise, global best practices, and extensive databases to achieve environmental objectives and offer advanced services to partners and community members.
Commending the accomplishments in 51 annual key performance indicators during 2023 across various environmental sectors, including waste management, marine water quality, air quality, soil quality, biodiversity, sustainable fishing, and groundwater, His Highness noted these achievements led to EAD winning five local and international awards in the first quarter of 2024 and signing seven local and international agreements.
The meeting also evaluated the progress of capital projects undertaken by EAD this year, which encompass the establishment of the Marine Museum in Saadiyat National Park and the seed preservation centre project slated for Al Dhafra Region, marking the first of its kind in the area.
The session discussed EAD’s initiatives in implementing the single-use plastic policy, recently extended to ban certain Styrofoam products effective June 1, 2024, aiming to reduce reliance on single-use products detrimental to the environment and biodiversity.
In recent months, EAD has prevented the use of 324 million plastic bags since the ban’s inception in June 2022, equivalent to approximately 95 percent of the bags used before the ban. Additionally, over 1,000 tonnes of plastic bottles were collected through 120 machines across the emirate as part of the bottle recovery initiative.
His Highness was also briefed on EAD’s endeavors in safeguarding environmental quality, with the registration of intellectual property rights for the environmental inspection system Eltezam, launched in October 2022, aimed at bolstering the agency’s regulatory role in environmental preservation and sustainable growth in Abu Dhabi.
Furthermore, the session highlighted notable achievements in biodiversity, such as the coral reef rehabilitation project, which successfully cultivated 819,580 colonies out of a million. It also discussed the first joint research mission with the Ocean X ship in the country’s waters, involving several local universities and UAE National researchers, along with the accomplishments of the Marine Research Vessel Jaywun in assessing fish resources in the country’s waters.
His Highness lauded EAD’s pivotal role in hosting the 12th session of the World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) for the first time in the Middle East, attracting 3,131 participants from 83 countries, where the Abu Dhabi Road Map was unveiled to promote environmental education and sustainable development worldwide.
