By H.E. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri

Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi

When I reflect on the journey that brought us to hosting the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, I’m reminded of why I chose a career in science and policy. For me, conservation has always been about connection – between people and place, data and decisions, and ambition and accountability. Organising this Congress achieved precisely that; it brought those connections to life and rekindled hope here in Abu Dhabi for actions on a global level.

Over 10,000 delegates converged in Abu Dhabi to develop a new vision for nature. The outcome was a 20-year strategy that places species’ conservation at the heart of biodiversity loss and recognises nature as a driver of resilience, equity, and climate adaptation. 

Throughout the week, I saw firsthand how science continues to serve as a bridge, linking vision with verifiable outcomes. It’s clear that we need integrated approaches, rooted in science, enabled by policy and owned by communities, to address the biodiversity crisis.

 

Nature at the Core of Development

This approach is already underway as part of the UAE’s national development model. Conservation isn’t something we add on, it’s something we build around. Our National Biodiversity Strategy 2031, aligned with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, is a blueprint for embedding nature into every aspect of planning, policy and progress.

That commitment was underscored with the announcement at the Congress of Abu Dhabi’s new biodiversity policy, issued by His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan. This framework sets a clear direction to protect and restore the emirate’s terrestrial and marine ecosystems, turning ambition into action. It strengthens our commitment to international goals and affirms our belief in biodiversity’s role in reducing climate overshoot risks, creating jobs and protecting livelihoods.

We are already delivering on this vision. Recognising both the ecological imperatives and the economic opportunities, we continue to protect and restore our endangered species and threatened ecosystems. To date, we have restored 3,600 hectares of mangroves using advanced drone technology, launched the world’s largest coral reef restoration project and are expanding our investments in initiatives that address current conservation challenges. 

Investing in nature is investing in our future.

From Data to Action: Scaling Conservation through Innovation

The Congress made clear that finance and innovation enable conservation. Two dedicated summits on philanthropy and business provided the right stimulus with conversations focused on moving from pledges to action. It’s clear that nature-positive finance, from biodiversity credits to blended investment models, can unlock new pathways for restoration and resilience. When businesses, governments and communities act in lockstep and invest in nature, we move from vision to reality.

Innovation was a defining theme throughout the Congress. From AI-powered habitat mapping to predictive biodiversity analytics and satellite monitoring, technology is accelerating our ability to act faster and smarter. 

A prime example of this innovation is the launch of Nature X Abu Dhabi at IUCN, a pioneering initiative developed by the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi in collaboration with the Advanced Technology Research Council. It will accelerate our efforts to protect species and ecosystems using advanced technologies and AI, while reflecting our commitment to future-proofing our work in natural resource conservation. 

People at the Heart of Conservation

Yet conservation is not only about finance and technology, it’s about people. One of the most powerful moments of the Congress came from the Indigenous Peoples and Nature Summit. The message was clear: traditional ecological knowledge is not symbolic. It’s strategic. It’s lived science, passed down through generations.

In the UAE, we’ve taken to heart that principle of inclusive governance. Our community engagement programmes, such as Connect with Nature, have reached more than 2.5 million young people since 2019 and our new citizen science strategy is training the next generation to monitor biodiversity and shape policy. These young people aren’t just learning about conservation, they’re helping lead it.

Throughout the Congress, I was moved by the diversity of voices – women steering the future of water governance, youth driving green job creation and artists connecting nature to culture. These perspectives reminded me that sustainable outcomes depend on local legitimacy and intergenerational trust. Conservation efforts must reflect the everyday realities and experiences of local communities. 

The power of partnerships

Global challenges require global cooperation. The UAE’s long-standing partnership with IUCN, from supporting species conservation globally through the Species Survival Commission (SSC), to developing the Red Lists of species and ecosystems, to hosting the only Convention on Migratory Species office outside Bonn, reflects our commitment to partnerships for the protection of nature, both locally and beyond. 

Bringing the Congress to the GCC and Abu Dhabi for the first time brought this commitment to life, reinforcing that no single actor can solve the triple planetary crises. The UAE Pavilion became a hub for knowledge exchange, showcasing innovation in climate adaptation, freshwater resilience and biodiversity protection and restoration. The launch of the World Bank report, “Continental Drying: A Threat to Our Common Future”, further highlighted our convening power in connecting nations facing shared environmental challenges. 

Serving as Vice-Chair of the Global Council on SDG14 and a Council Member for the World Economic Forum’s Global Future Council on Human Science of Environmental Action, I see every day how these efforts connect. From science and policy to culture and community, Abu Dhabi is emerging as a platform where solutions are co-created, grounded in science and scaled through partnerships. These approaches are helping shift environmental stewardship from a niche concern to a shared responsibility across sectors.

Looking ahead

We’ve made meaningful progress, but the real work lies ahead. With less than five years to achieve the global goals of major biodiversity and climate agreements, our responsibilities are clear. We can no longer afford lethargy.

The Congress reaffirmed that conservation must be integrated, inclusive and innovative. It must connect ecosystems with economies, data with decisions and people with policy. The Abu Dhabi Call to Action – One Nature, One Humanity and One Future – is a powerful message for action. And we must act with urgency.

The declaration of five additional protected areas by HH the President of the UAE, increasing by 20 per cent Abu Dhabi’s protected areas coverage, is an important step in that direction. Announced at the closing of the Congress, this marks a significant milestone towards achieving the 30×30 target. 

We are firmly on that path in Abu Dhabi. This is the model we have built here – one of innovation and inclusivity. A model of bold ambitions and aspirations. A model that can drive transformative conservation. 

A model, I believe, that can help shape a more resilient, equitable and nature-positive future the world so badly needs.