UAE's COP29 Pavilion: Mangroves pledge and pioneering climate sessions

The UAE Pavilion at COP29 stood out as a hub for impactful discussions, bringing together policymakers, researchers, and environment activists to discuss biodiversity, nature, and sustainability.It also highlighted the nation’s commitment to global climate solutions, including a significant pledge to plant an additional 100 million mangroves by 2030.

A year after hosting the 2023 UN Climate Change High-Level Champion at COP28 in Dubai, the UAE continues to maintain its global leadership in addressing climate challenges.

The pledge, announced by Hiba Alshehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary, underscores the UAE’s dedication to mangrove conservation. It was made during a joint event by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the Global Mangroves Alliance, titled 'Mobilising the Mangrove Breakthrough'.

In her statement, Alshehhi said, "As a founding partner of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate, the UAE is committed to planting an additional 100 million mangroves by 2030 to enhance global bio-capacity.”

International experts from Mozambique, Brazil, Indonesia, and the Caribbean highlighted the global urgency of mangrove preservation. IUCN Deputy Director General Stewart Maginnis issued a stark warning: “Fifty percent of all mangroves are at risk of collapse by 2050 due to climate pressures.”

The alliance, comprising 49 nations representing 60% of the world’s mangroves and numerous non-state stakeholders, works to protect these vital ecosystems. The initiative focuses on restoring and protecting mangrove ecosystems, which are critical for carbon capture and coastal protection.

COP29 sessions at UAE Pavilion

Other key sessions addressed pressing issues such as sustainable water management, mangrove restoration, and inclusive climate action.

The day featured the unveiling of “Whales and Dolphins of Fujairah and the Arabian Region,” a comprehensive book on marine biodiversity by Robert Baldwin and Balazs Buzas. Additional sessions included “Clean Water for All,” which focused on Africa’s water challenges, and an update from the UAE Space Agency on how satellite data is driving climate innovation.

Inclusivity and equity were central themes during the presentation of the UAE’s “Gender-Responsive and Socially Inclusive National Adaptation Plan.” Amal Abdulrahim, Acting Assistant Undersecretary at the UAE’s Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, emphasized, “Inclusivity and innovation are at the core of our climate strategy, ensuring equitable and sustainable transitions for all.”

The day concluded with the Women in Diplomacy reception, hosted by UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment Dr. Amna Al Dahak, celebrating the role of women diplomats in advancing inclusive and sustainable energy transitions.

Through its extensive programming, the UAE Pavilion at COP29 reaffirmed its global leadership in addressing climate challenges, fostering international collaboration, and advocating for innovative, inclusive solutions to create a sustainable future.