In her opening remarks at the first edition of The International Mangrove Conservation and Restoration Conference (IMCRC) in Abu Dhabi on Tuesday, Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of Environmental Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), referred to mangroves as “nature’s fortress” and “our unsung heroes,” describing them as carbon sinks, coastline protectors, and biodiversity havens. “Here in Abu Dhabi, we have long recognized the importance of protecting and restoring our biodiversity,” she said. According to our mapping analysis, Abu Dhabi Emirate’s mangrove cover grew from more than 9,100 hectares in 1987 to 17,600 hectares in 2020.
The conference is part of the second Year of Sustainability under the framework of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative and Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy. She paid tribute to UAE’s founding father, Sheikh Zayed Bin Sultan Al Nahyan: “This conference is a tribute to Sheikh Zayed’s legacy and his vision of inclusivity – a vision that focused not only on nation-building but also on nature-building.” She emphasised: “By nurturing our ecosystems and healing our planet, we can leave our own legacies for future generations.”
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