Abu Dhabi: Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Jubail Island Investment Company (JIIC) have signed a partnership agreement for preserving mangrove and coastal ecosystems to ensure their future sustainability.
The partnership aims to place all local mangrove rehabilitation projects under the umbrella of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative to ensure effective coordination and better results. Furthermore, the collaboration will establish and operate the Jubail Mangroves Innovation Centre, which aims to enhance mangrove and coastal ecosystem research, restoration, and conservation.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Terrestrial and Marine Biodiversity Sector at EAD, and Engineer Abdulla Saeed Al Shamsi, Corporate Director of JIIC, in the presence of Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, and Mr. Mounir Haidar, Managing Director of JIIC.
This agreement supports the agency’s efforts to enhance climate action, ensure the sustainability of the marine environment and its natural habitats, and protect mangroves, one of the most productive coastal ecosystems in the world. Mangroves provide a variety of environmental and economic services and are ideal nature-based solutions to help us meet the challenge of climate change with their ability to absorb greenhouse gases. They can store and sequester carbon up to four times higher than the trees in the Amazon rainforest.
Dr. Al Dhaheri shared.
Mr. Haidar said commented that “we are proud of this partnership with the Environment Agency in Abu Dhabi and what we have achieved in enhancing biodiversity and supporting wildlife throughout Jubail Island, which is a sustainable and pioneering environmental destination in the emirate of Abu Dhabi. Since the beginning of the island’s development, we have embarked on strategic partnerships and launched several initiatives with both public and private institutions.”
According to the agreement, EAD will also be responsible for establishing partnerships to support local and global mangrove research as well as providing expertise and administrative supervision for the implementation of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative action plan.
JIIC will also build and establish the Jubail Mangrove Innovation Centre in coordination with EAD. JIIC will also support mangrove planting initiatives and host educational tours, field visits, and events related to the initiative.