The Environment Agency of Abu Dhabi recently held a virtual workshop with 36 participants from 18 government organisations, to consult on the Abu Dhabi Biodiversity Protection Policy.
The workshop, presented the proposed policy which highlights the sustainable use of biodiversity resources and in turn preserve Abu Dhabi’s natural and cultural heritage in the long run.
All of the policy’s objectives and principles were reviewed, read a statement released by WAM.
The policy’s “vision and its alignment with national and international goals, and ways to ensure continuity of the vital functions of terrestrial and marine ecosystems,” were also addressed in the workshop, WAM said.
“We seek to update and develop the response plans set by the Agency in cooperation with its partners by creating an approved action plan to protect terrestrial and marine habitats,” EAD’s executive director of terrestrial and marine biodiversity sector, Ahmed Al Hashemi (below) said.
Al Hashemi also emphasised on how this policy would help preserve local wildlife, based on the latest evidence provided by the Abu Dhabi red list of species and the Abu Dhabi red list of ecosystems.
With over 3,700 species recorded, the emirate’s biodiversity is “unique”, Al Hashemi said, the development of this policy will be a channel to address threats in the local biodiversity and meet objectives, as well.
The policy additionally focuses on protecting natural habitats to avoid extinction, increase the Urban Biodiversity Index, and protecting the ratio of protected areas within the emirate.
“Through the policy, Abu Dhabi’s actions towards implementing the post-2020 global biodiversity framework will be clarified within the UAE’s commitment to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity,” the statement read.
The workshop also received proposals with a focus to increase awareness and volunteer programmes among the local community.
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