Environmental NGO Emirates Nature-WWF’s Board of Directors convened at its annual General Assembly, marking a significant milestone as the organization celebrates 25 years of conservation impact. The meeting reaffirmed Emirates Nature-WWF’s commitment to scaling up environmental action through a science-based and community-led approach under the tagline ‘Conservation in Action,’ aligning with the UAE Year of Community in 2025. This year-long movement will engage and mobilize people across the nation for nature.
The Board reviewed and approved an ambitious roadmap ahead, with plans for a series of key milestones and events throughout 2025, ensuring that the organization’s legacy translates into greater collective action that will accelerate climate resilience, nature restoration, and sustainability initiatives across the nation.
Reflecting on the organization’s 25-year journey, H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Chairman of the Board of Emirates Nature-WWF, stated:“For a quarter of a century, Emirates Nature-WWF has been at the forefront of science-based conservation in the UAE, working hand in hand with communities, businesses, and government. As we look to the future, we remain committed to scaling up impact – leveraging innovation, policy, and community engagement to drive meaningful environmental change. The Year of Community will be a defining moment for collective action, and we invite everyone to play a role in shaping a nature-positive future for our nation.”
Emirates Nature-WWF’s Board of Directors include: H.E. Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the Board of Directors at the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Chairman of the Executive Committee at EAD; H.E. Ahmed Ali Al Sayegh, Minister of State, UAE; H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of Mohamed Bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund; Major Ali Saqr Sultan Al Suweidi, President of the Emirates Marine Environmental Group; H.E. Abdullah bin Touq Al Marri, Minister of Economy; H.E. Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, Chairwoman of Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA); H.E. Helal Al Marri, Director General of Dubai Department of Economy and Tourism; H.E. Majid Al Mansouri, President of the International Association for Falconry and Conservation of Birds of Prey; H.E. Engineer Mohamed Saif Al Afkham, Director General of Fujairah Municipality; H.E. Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD; Dr Faraj A. Ahnish, Founding Partner of Hadef & Partners; and Muna Easa Al Gurg, Vice Chairperson and Director of Retail, Easa Saleh Al Gurg Group, led by Laila Mostafa Abdullatif as the Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF.
A whole-of-society approach is integral to the NGO’s legacy, with the community at the heart of conservation efforts—driving impact and making hands-on contributions to success. In 2024 alone, Emirates Nature-WWF significantly scaled conservation impact by placing people at the forefront of action, with over 15 projects on the ground spanning across the Emirates.The Leaders of Change program, now a national movement, mobilized 5,000 individuals who dedicated and volunteered 12,400 hours to restoring native species, supporting flood recovery, and advancing scientific research through citizen science. This grassroots mobilization will expand further in 2025, with a strong focus on youth engagement, thanks to the support of partners including the Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi, Fujairah Environment Authority, Abu Dhabi Airports, Abu Dhabi Fund Development, Boston Consulting Group, Dubai Electricity and Water Authority (DEWA), Expo City Dubai, Gulftainer, HSBC MENAT, Ittihad International Investment,LGT Middle East, Mashreq, Momentum Logistics, Mubadala Investment Company, National Bank of Fujairah, Seddiqi Holding, and Visa.
Beyond community mobilization through outreach programs, Emirates Nature-WWF continues to build upon its 25-year legacy of engaging local communities on the ground and collaborating with multi-stakeholder partners to advance conservation efforts. By driving impact against five key pillars– nature & wildlife, climate action, green economy &market transformation, food & water security, and civil society mobilization – the NGO supports the UAE’s national and global commitments on nature and climate. Looking ahead, Emirates Nature-WWF plans to strategically venture into international markets, scaling up projects to create greater impact for both people and planet,further solidifying the UAE’s position as a global leader in innovation and sustainability.
Inclusive conservation in action ensures that local communities play an active role in preserving the UAE’s natural heritage while benefiting from its socio-economic value. In 2024, the NGO worked closely with stakeholders, partners,and the community to:
- Train nearly 200 farm owners and workers in agroecology and promoting sustainable agriculture.
- Cultivate and raise awareness around the commercial potential of farming climate-resilient crops, such as Arabian Moringa (or Shu’a) and local halophytes, as part of wider efforts to advance Nature-based Solutions that support biodiversity, strengthen climate resilience and create economic opportunities for local communities.
- Spearhead a multi-stakeholder collaboration exploring halophytes as a sustainable local food source with renowned restaurateurs and chefs.
- Restore and monitor eight hectares of mangroves, contributing to the first Mangrove Restoration Guidelines for the UAE, developed with the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi under the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative.
- Promote ecotourism as pathway to preserve natural capital and carbon sinks while fostering economic growth, by developing ecotourism assets in the emirates of Ajman and Umm Al Quwain.
- Drive market transformation through initiatives such as the UAE Alliance for Climate Action (UACA), which is convened by Emirates Nature-WWF and unites 55 members to accelerate decarbonization in the UAE. The alliance’s Road2.0 initiative – supported by 17 signatories – is leading the shift toward commercial electric vehicle adoption with strong support from government stakeholders.
These milestones are featured in depth in the Emirates Nature-WWF Annual Report 2024, available for download at this link.
As Emirates Nature-WWF embarks on this landmark year, the NGO invites individuals, businesses, and policymakers to take actionand demonstrate the power of an active civil society in the Year of Community. The 25-year celebration of ‘Conservation in Action’ will feature a dynamic series of events, storytelling platforms and hands-on Leaders of Change activities that offer meaningful opportunities for greater public participation. With the active involvement of the UAE community and dedicated partners, the NGO looks forward to scale impact, drive lasting change, and shape a thriving future for people and nature.