Dubai: The UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment (MoCCAE) has concluded the second national workshop to update the National Biodiversity Strategy 2023. The three-day workshop was held at the Habtoor Polo Resort in Dubai.
It was aimed at developing a national strategy and action plan that meets international commitments towards biodiversity.
The workshop updated the latest developments, discussed the outputs of the working groups regarding the update of the National Biodiversity Strategy, and explored the best environmental practices related to the development and enhancement of this vital sector in the country, ensuring its sustainability.
All of this falls within the framework of sustainability and the UAE’s preparations for the Conference of the Parties (COP28), as per the statement.
The workshop was attended by Dr. Mohammed Salman Alhammadi, Assistant Under-Secretary for the Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and the Environment, Ms. Geetha Nayak, the Regional Coordinator for Biodiversity and Ecosystems at the United Nations Environment Programme West Asia Office, and representatives from several ministries, including the UES’s Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Interior, Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, as well as various local government entities, the academic sector, public benefits associations, and the private sector.
Dr. Mohamed Salman Alhammadi emphasized the UAE’s strong dedication to improving biodiversity, protecting endangered species, and safeguarding important ecosystems. These ecosystems provide valuable services like carbon storage, clean air, disaster prevention, and resources such as food and medicine.
Dr. Alhammadi also mentioned the UAE’s aim to set a leading example globally in this crucial area and its eagerness to share its initiatives and real-world solutions as it develops an ambitious national biodiversity strategy, particularly in preparation for the upcoming COP28 conference in November 2023.