Abu Dhabi Designates 20% as Protected Areas

Abu Dhabi's Conservation Milestone: 20% Becomes Protected Land

Abu Dhabi has taken a historic step towards sustainability and conservation by announcing that 20% of the emirate's territory will be designated as protected areas. This measure coincides with the United Arab Emirates hosting, for the first time, the IUCN World Conservation Congress, emphasizing the region's commitment to global environmental efforts.

With this announcement, the total size of protected areas will reach 22,821 square kilometers, managed by the Zayed Protected Areas Network. Along with the new reserves, there are a total of 26 protected areas: 13 terrestrial and 6 marine, with an additional three terrestrial and three marine sites newly designated. This establishes a comprehensive conservation network, ensuring the long-term sustainability of ecosystems and biodiversity across Abu Dhabi.

Introduction of New Nature Reserves

The recent expansion includes three new terrestrial reserves and three new marine protected areas. Among the terrestrial areas, the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve stands out for its unique geological formations and rare ecological values. The Liwa Aquifer Reserve plays a critical role in the sustainable management of freshwater resources, while the Ghaf Nature Reserve focuses on preserving local tree species and habitats.

Among the marine protected areas are the Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve, Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Reserve, and the expanded marine area of Ras Ghanada. These sites are crucial not only for marine biodiversity but also for coastal ecosystems, particularly in protecting coral reefs, sea turtles, and seabird habitats.

Global Significance at Abu Dhabi Congress

The timing of the announcement is no coincidence. From October 9-15, 2025, Abu Dhabi hosted the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) World Congress, held for the first time in the Middle East. The event, organized jointly by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and the IUCN, took place at the ADNEC Congress Center.

The congress aims to promote global dialogue about the sustainable use of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, and mitigating the effects of climate change. The event put Abu Dhabi's environmental efforts in the international spotlight and reinforced the emirate's position as a region striving for ecological as well as economic leadership.

Strategic Alignment with National Goals

The designation of new protected areas aligns fully with the UAE's National Biodiversity Strategy up to 2031. The strategy is built on six main pillars, including the protection and monitoring of key biological areas, restoring degraded ecosystems, and reducing the impacts of climate change and disasters on biodiversity.

According to the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the new protected areas allow for the launch of innovative conservation programs, protection of endangered species, and contribute to increasing the ecological system's resilience. The goal is not merely to preserve current conditions but to actively support wildlife in a way that remains sustainable for future generations.

Abu Dhabi as an Environmental Prototype

The environmental initiatives are driven not just by administrative decisions, but by a vision that treats sustainable development and nature conservation as equal goals. The spirit of these measures reflects the legacy of founding leader Zayed, who always sought harmony with nature.

This expansion is exemplary not only locally but globally. In a world where urbanization, industrialization, and overexploitation of natural resources often overshadow environmental protection, Abu Dhabi shows an entirely different direction. A direction where nature is not a victim, but a partner in development.

Conclusion

Abu Dhabi's commitment to conservation is not new, but this step is a milestone in the region's environmental policy. Designating a fifth of the emirate's land as protected status is not only a significant advance for biodiversity but also a political message to the world: sustainability is not a luxury but a strategic necessity.

This initiative, coinciding with one of the world's most significant conservation congresses, strengthens not just Abu Dhabi's, but the entire UAE's position on the global environmental map. The expansion of protected areas simultaneously supports the improvement of residents' quality of life, ecosystem stability, and the country's international credibility in climate protection and sustainable development.

(Source of the article based on Abu Dhabi Environment Agency and presidential decree announcement.)