Hamdan Bin Zayed Chairs Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi’s Board of Directors’ Meeting

His Highness Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler’s Representative in Al Dhafra Region and Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), highlighted the transformative role of artificial intelligence (AI) in achieving sustainable development goals. His Highness praised the Agency’s tireless efforts to adopt advanced technologies and modernise its infrastructure in line with the UAE Artificial Intelligence Strategy, and in support of the UAE Centennial 2071, which aims to make the UAE the world’s best in all fields. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan’s statement came during his chairmanship of EAD’s Board of Directors’ meeting, where he praised the unlimited support and attention received by the Agency from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, which enabled it to move forward in implementing its corporate strategy 2021-2025, while enhancing its ability to address environmental challenges and ensure the sustainability of the emirate’s natural resources.
His Highness pointed out that by 2025, the completed strategy will have achieved 300 projects based on 36 environmental indicators for measuring progress and achieving environmental goals that cover various areas such as reducing emissions, enhancing resource efficiency, and improving air and water quality, among others. He praised the achievements made by EAD in implementing its ambitious strategy, which so far has achieved 90 per cent of the listed projects and 86 per cent of the monitored environmental indicators. His Highness Sheikh Hamdan added that these achievements have enabled the Agency to take the regional and global lead in several environmental fields, including in areas related to climate change adaptation and the effective implementation of environmental laws, and the Agency ranks among the best global institutions in integrating AI applications and generating an abundance of environmental data. It also obtained third place globally in sustainability applications and second place in environmental education initiatives and community participation. His Highness stressed that this distinction reflects the Agency’s ability to integrate advanced technology into environmental protection efforts and environmental data analysis, which enhances its response to environmental challenges.

Senior Delegation from Environment Agency -Abu Dhabi Visits the Netherlands to Explore Collaboration in Climate Monitoring, AI and Smart Technologies, Waste Management

A high-level delegation from the Environment Agency -Abu Dhabi (EAD), the Middle East’s largest environmental regulator, has concluded a successful week-long knowledge exchange tour of the Netherlands to explore opportunities for collaboration and discuss the latest innovations and best practices in environment and sustainability with industry stakeholders in Amsterdam and The Hague. The delegates also attended key sustainability events and the World Summit AI, the world’s most prestigious event to discover how AI can be used equitably, inclusively and safely. The visiting EAD delegation attended multiple sustainability focused events in the Netherlands from 7 to 14 October and met with government officials, C-Suite executives, and sustainability officers across multiple industries to share insights on topics such as decarbonisation and the energy transition – including low carbon solutions like green hydrogen. They also debated the challenge of developing policies for hard-to-abate sectors.
At the World Summit AI, the EAD team listened to conversations on the outsized impact of AI, including what it means to be human in the age of AI and whether it is possible to achieve the democratization of this advanced technology. The summit underscored AI’s role in disrupting sectors and examined the interplay of ethical and human-centric aspects of AI on governments and sustainability.

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Hosts Over 300 Experts from the World’s Largest Voluntary Conservation Science Network to Participate in the Fifth Leaders Meeting of the IUCN Species Survival Commission

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the Species Survival Commission (SSC) of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) will be hosting the Fifth SSC Leaders’ Meeting in Abu Dhabi, between 25 and 28 October 2024. The meeting will convene 300 participants, bringing together leaders and experts in species conservation from the world’s largest volunteer conservation science network.
Held every four years, the meeting aims to leverage the expertise and experience of SSC Groups to facilitate knowledge-sharing and collective action, with the ultimate goal of advancing the mission of species conservation. Over 120 sessions are planned in a programme designed to reflect the Species Conservation Cycle (Assess-Plan-Act), which is the core framework for SSC activities, with an entire day fully dedicated to each of these components. The agenda comprises more than 20 plenary sessions and numerous workshops, panel discussions, symposia, and training opportunities, among other diverse sessions to share experiences and lessons learned by SSC leaders during the quadrennium, and throughout the eight decades of existence of the Commission.

All Living Beings:

Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival returns for its 4th edition exploring human’s relationship with Earth’s creatures

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi is excited to announce the fourth edition of, in collaboration with The Arts Center at New York University Abu Dhabi (NYUAD). Set to take place from October 25 to 27, 2024, this year’s festival will be centered around the theme “All Living Beings.” Held at The Arts Center at NYUAD, this year’s festival will explore the intricate interconnectedness of all living beings, emphasising the vital relationships between humans, wildlife, and ecosystems. Through a carefully curated selection of films, discussions, and interactive events, the festival aims to foster environmental consciousness and inspire community engagement.
In addition to the main festival, Al Sidr will embark on a special road trip, bringing films to schools across Abu Dhabi to engage and inspire students directly. This initiative is part of a broader outreach effort to foster environmental awareness among the UAE youths. Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of the Environmental Information, Science and Awareness Department at EAD, said: “The festival aligns closely with the UAE’s national agenda, particularly as the Year of Sustainability continues in 2024. It highlights the UAE’s ongoing commitment to environmental preservation and its role as a leader in sustainable initiatives. By highlighting local and global environmental challenges through the art of cinema, the Al Sidr Environmental Film Festival reinforces the importance of sustainability as a national priority and helps to amplify the UAE’s dedication to building a greener future for generations to come”.

Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Announces the Start of the Falconry Season from October 20 to January 20, 2025

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has stressed the importance of adhering to Law No. (22) of 2005 regarding hunting in Abu Dhabi and all its associated executive regulations. As the competent authority in Abu Dhabi, EAD oversees the regulation of hunting affairs according to specific conditions. To that effect, the Agency has stipulated that the hunting only allows licensed falconers to hunt the captive breeding Houbara bustard during the traditional wild hunting season (falconry), which runs from 20 October 2024 to 20 January, 2025, ensuring that traditional hunting is practiced within specific legal and environmental controls. Hunting is restricted to open areas in Abu Dhabi Emirate, and must be kept at least two kilometres away from main and secondary roads, prohibited and private places, forests, protected areas, petroleum and military facilities, and residential areas.
As part of its efforts to spread authentic Arabic heritage practices among current and future generations and encourage them to practice falconry in the emirate within the stipulated legal and environmental controls. The Agency issues falconry licenses in accordance with Local Resolution No. (5) of 2021 with regards to amendments made to the executive regulations of the Hunting Law, which supports the wild hunting sector and enhances efforts to preserve ‘the sport of falconry’ – a traditional hunting heritage. To obtain a falconry license, the applicant must be a citizen of the United Arab Emirates, be at least 18 years old, and any falcons used in the hunt must be registered in the Falcon Registration System of the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE). Applicants may participate in this traditional sport only after obtaining a traditional hunting license (falconry) through the Abu Dhabi Unified Government Services System, ‘TAMM’. Falconers must apply for a traditional hunting license through the ‘TAMM’ smart application or the ‘TAMM’ website and can log in using their digital UAE Pass identity. From the list of services, applicants may choose Support Community and Environment and then the ‘Issuing a Falconry License’ service. Upon approval of the terms and conditions, the falconer submitting the application will immediately be issued with an electronic license through the ‘TAMM’ system. The licensee must adhere to the environmental requirements of the falconry license and only hunt during the hours between sunrise to sunset during the hunting period specified in the license issued for one season only, the dates of which have been set for the 2024-2025 season.

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Launches Initiative to Plant a Mangrove Tree for Every WEEC 2024 Visitor and Enhance Community Participation in Environmental Research

As part of the Year of Sustainability and Abu Dhabi’s Climate Change Strategy, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has announced a new initiative involving teachers and students of the Sustainable Schools Initiative (SSI) to plant a mangrove tree for every visitor and participant at the 12th World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC) 2024, which took place in Abu Dhabi from January 29th to February 2nd and attended by more than 3,000 participants. The initiative aims to reduce carbon dioxide levels, promote the adoption of nature-based solutions to mitigate the effects of climate change, and reduce the environmental footprint of conference visitors.
EAD is implementing this initiative in collaboration with Emirates Nature-WWF and the World Wildlife Fund, and is working to promote broad public engagement in a series of projects that address real environmental issues. This initiative also supports the objectives of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative (ADMI), which was launched as a comprehensive programme for all mangrove and blue carbon research and restoration projects in the emirate with a mission to ensure and support science-based restoration through key principles: education, engagement, research, protection and partnership. ADMI was announced during a meeting between His Royal Highness Prince William, the Prince of Wales and His Highness Sheikh Khaled bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of Abu Dhabi Executive Office at Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi in February 2022. As part of the initiative, mangrove trees will be planted during the last quarter of this year – being the most appropriate period for planting mangroves, in coastal areas, such as the Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, Mirfa City and Jubail Island.

To test the readiness and effectiveness of emergency plans
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Conducted A Tabletop Exercise to Mitigate Red Tide and Fish Kill Events with 16 Abu Dhabi Government Agencies

The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) recently conducted a tabletop exercise (Med 1/2024) that explored possible responses to the phenomenon of red tide and fish kill events in coordination with the Emergencies, Crises and Disaster Management Centre Abu Dhabi. The exercise saw a total of 16 Abu Dhabi government entities gather to test their readiness to confront and respond quickly and effectively to threats and emergencies caused by the risk of red tide and fish kills in the emirate.”The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi is the leading entity regarding the risk of red tide and fish kills based on the emirate’s local risk register – an integral part of the integrated system for emergency, crisis and disaster management at the local level in Abu Dhabi. This system aims to raise the readiness of the concerned entities to confront and respond quickly and effectively to emergency situations and threats of all kinds,” said Eng. Khaled Mohammed Al Hajri, Director of the Emergency, Safety and Business Continuity Office at the Agency. Al Hajri pointed out that during the simulation exercise (Exercise Tide 1/2024), various possible scenarios which require the fullest readiness and preparedness of all relevant authorities were reviewed. He stressed the importance of committing work teams from each government entity to activate the general response plan for red tide events and fish deaths due to the importance and impact on the speed of our response in dealing with the danger and reducing their effects.
By conducting such exercises, EAD seeks to achieve several main objectives. The most important is to raise the readiness of all relevant work teams by providing an element trained on unified concepts within the emergency and crisis management system. This helps assign roles and responsibilities, increasing the teams’ experience and skills development, while fostering a spirit of cooperation and a ‘one team’ ethos. It also raises the readiness of assets and resources required to support emergency and crisis operations by testing the efficiency of mechanisms, equipment, and smart systems for exchanging information and financial resources required to respond in emergency and crisis situations. This is achieved by measuring the extent of the systems’ compatibility and the availability of resources during response operations.

UAE: Five Arrested For Illegal Hunting Using A Falcon In Abu Dhabi
Special patrols were monitoring their activity in a sandy area north of Al Khatim area

Abu Dhabi Police, represented by the Special Patrols Department, in cooperation with the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) and several partners within the Joint Committee for the Protection of Wildlife, caught the environmental violation in a sandy area north of Al Khatim. The committee said the violators were caught near their four-wheel-drive vehicle, after they had hunted wildlife using a falcon. The special patrols had been monitoring their movements in the area, leading to their arrest, after which the necessary legal actions were taken against them.
Colonel Sheikh Zayed bin Hamad Al Nahyan, Chairman of the Joint Committee for the Protection of Wildlife at Abu Dhabi Police, highlighted the committee’s dedication to enhancing collaboration to ensure the sustainability of biodiversity, and promoting the reintroduction programmes for endangered species, while raising environmental awareness about the importance of preserving wildlife sanctuaries. EAD Secretary-General Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri said the Committee has strengthened the efforts of the Abu Dhabi government in monitoring the implementation of local and federal laws related to hunting and grazing, as well as monitoring nature reserves in the emirate. The committee urged the public to cooperate in enhancing the protection of wildlife and fostering its growth. It also warned against the consequences of encroaching on the emirate’s natural wildlife. The UAE ranks first globally in the Environmental Sustainability Index, EAD said. The country has also seen continuous success in protecting endangered species and in breeding and rehabilitating rare animals, it added.