Abu Dhabi reaffirms its position as a leader in marine environmental preservation and sustainable development on the international stage. The capital has actively participated in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development, held at the United Nations headquarters in New York from July 14 to 23, 2025. Through the collaboration of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and various governmental knowledge exchange offices, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of the Environment Agency and Vice President of the Global Goal 14 Council, engaged in a series of high-level events focused on advancing sustainable development goals, particularly Goal 14, which emphasizes life below water. This commitment marks a significant stride for Abu Dhabi in its mission to lead in preserving marine environments and promoting sustainability.
Abu Dhabi’s Global Commitment to Sustainable Development
During this pivotal forum, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri participated in the UAE exhibition at the UN, showcasing key national initiatives aimed at achieving sustainable development goals. Notably, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi presented an advanced model for marine habitat restoration and innovative climate action through the “Mangrove Alliance for Climate.” Additionally, preparations were announced for hosting the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) conference in October 2025.
Key Initiatives and Innovative Approaches
In her address during the General Assembly focused on Goal 14, Dr. Al Dhaheri underscored the UAE’s commitment to prioritizing this goal nationally, backed by scientific foundations and effective governmental policies alongside sustainable financing. She highlighted Abu Dhabi’s significant efforts in restoring blue carbon ecosystems, including mangrove forests and seagrass meadows. Furthermore, the capital has launched a global initiative aimed at rehabilitating coral reefs, with an ambitious goal of planting four million coral colonies by 2030. Such initiatives underscore Abu Dhabi’s dedication to marine environmental preservation and sustainable development.
Technological Advances in Marine Biodiversity Protection
Abu Dhabi is also leveraging cutting-edge technologies for marine biodiversity protection. Techniques such as environmental DNA analysis and artificial intelligence are being utilized to monitor biodiversity effectively. This proactive approach has notably improved the sustainable fishing index, which rose from 8.9% in 2018 to an impressive 97.4% by the end of 2024. These advancements reflect Abu Dhabi’s commitment to marine conservation.
Collaboration and Future Directions
During a ministerial roundtable session titled “Scaling Successful Solutions,” Dr. Al Dhaheri exchanged insights with global leaders on accelerating progress toward sustainable development goals. Abdullah Lootah, Assistant Minister of Cabinet Affairs for Competitiveness and Knowledge Exchange, highlighted the launch of the “Sustainable Development Goals 2045” report. In her opening remarks, Dr. Al Dhaheri emphasized the importance of international cooperation and comprehensive marine governance in addressing the increasing challenges facing global oceans. Abu Dhabi’s leadership in marine environmental preservation and sustainable development continues to shine, setting a benchmark for other nations.