President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed the expansion of nature reserves across Abu Dhabi to cover 20 per cent of the emirate's total land area, reinforcing the UAE's global leadership in environmental protection and sustainability.
The decision, which aligns with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 programme, underscores the UAE's commitment to achieving global biodiversity goals and balancing sustainable development with natural heritage preservation.
Expanding protected areas in Abu Dhabi
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi will oversee the management of the newly designated reserves, which span 4,581sq km and will be added to the Zayed Protected Areas Network.
Following the expansion, Abu Dhabi will have a total of 26 protected areas -- including 13 terrestrial and six marine reserves -- covering 22,821sq km in total.
The initiative coincides with the UAE's historic hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held for the first time in the region from October 9-15 2025 at ADNEC Centre Abu Dhabi.
The event is organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
New reserves and expansions
The expansion includes the creation of three new terrestrial reserves -- Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve, and Ghaf Natural Reserve.
It also features the expansion of the Qasr Al Sarab Reserve, alongside the establishment of two new marine reserves: Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve.
Additionally, authorities will expand the Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve.
Commitment to sustainability
Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi Board of Directors, said: "The directives of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan reflect our wise leadership's vision for environmental protection and sustainability.
"This expansion will safeguard biodiversity and ecosystems for future generations and strengthen Abu Dhabi's global standing as a model for environmental stewardship, continuing the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan."
Mohammed Ahmed Al Bowardi, Vice Chairman of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, said: "These directives reaffirm the UAE's unwavering commitment to biodiversity conservation and protecting wildlife across the emirate.
"Expanding nature reserves will support innovative programmes for wildlife preservation and ensure the sustainability of our natural environment."
Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi, said: "This marks a transformative milestone in Abu Dhabi's environmental journey and reflects the UAE's dedication to achieving the Global Biodiversity Framework 2030 goals, including the 30×30 initiative.
"It reinforces the leadership's vision of balancing sustainable development with natural heritage conservation, positioning Abu Dhabi as a global model in environmental action."
National biodiversity goals
The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi stated that the expansion supports the National Biodiversity Strategy 2031, which presents a comprehensive vision for nature conservation and climate action.
The strategy focuses on six key pillars:
* Protecting and monitoring critical biodiversity areas
* Rehabilitating degraded terrestrial and marine ecosystems
* Minimising the impact of climate change and disaster risks on biodiversity
* Enhancing ecosystem resilience across the UAE
Together, these efforts aim to position the emirate as a global model in biodiversity protection, ensuring that the emirate's ecosystems continue to thrive for future generations.