Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, highlighted July 26th as the International Day for the Conservation of the Mangrove Ecosystem, emphasizing the crucial role of mangroves in protecting the planet’s health. The UAE has set an ambitious goal to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, making it the first country in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region to do so.
“Mangroves are not just critical to enhancing biodiversity; they also act as carbon sinks and protect coastal ecosystems, making them an effective nature-based solution in our fight against climate change. They are a vital component of coastal and marine ecosystems, providing breeding grounds for marine biodiversity, with an estimated 80% of the global fish population relying on mangrove forests either directly or indirectly.” Said Dr. Al Dahak.
She further explained that mangroves offer a unique carbon sequestration system, capable of storing carbon up to 400% faster than land-based tropical rainforests. Protecting and restoring mangrove forests is essential to achieving the goals of the Paris Agreement. Despite their numerous benefits, mangroves are vulnerable to rising sea levels, habitat destruction, and pollution.
Dr. Al Dahak emphasized the urgent need for global protection and support for mangrove ecosystems. The UAE has been a leader in mangrove conservation, both nationally and internationally. At COP27, the UAE and Indonesia launched the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) to enhance the conservation, restoration, and planting of mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
She concluded her speech by underscoring, “Let us renew our promise and strengthen our efforts to restore and protect these invaluable assets of nature to build a cleaner, greener, and more sustainable world.”
