Under the patronage of H.E. Dr. Rashid Ahmed Bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water, the UAE Ministry of Environment and Water recently organized a national workshop to discuss the operational plan of the National Strategy for the Sustainability of Marine and Coastal Environment. The seminar, which was held at the InterContinental Hotel in Dubai, saw the participation of representatives from various government agencies, federal authorities, seaports, civil society, and the private sector. The two-day workshop is in line with the Ministry’s efforts to enhance environmental sustainability and its commitment towards the protection of marine and coastal ecosystems and their biodiversity, complementing the objectives of UAE Vision 2021 to ensure a sustainable living environment and a fully integrated infrastructure.
In his opening speech, H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad said that the Ministry has organized the workshop to highlight the importance of the marine and coastal environment as one of the UAE’s main natural resources, the pressures it has been exposed to over the past years, and efforts to ensure its sustainability for future generations. He added that the Ministry has developed a National Strategy for the Sustainability of Marine and Coastal Environment in order to draw a workable and applicable implementation plan that connects the major directives and national objectives of the strategy with the operational initiatives and activities aimed at protecting the strategy. H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad also praised the efforts made by the various local partners to prepare the national strategy, emphasizing the integrative and participatory approach which will remain the most important factor in achieving its objectives.
H.E. Dr. Bin Fahad further noted that considerable efforts have been made by all the concerned authorities in the UAE over the last few years to protect the marine and coastal environment and its resources with great success. However, natural and human pressures and challenges have continued to increase at a fast pace, reinforcing the need to find a new approach for sustainable and innovative solutions to protect the environment and ensure its sustainability in line with UAE Vision 2021.
He explained that the National Strategy for the Sustainability of Marine and Coastal Environment was based on the best global experience, expertise and practices to represent a comprehensive framework that is flexible and adaptable to all local, regional and international conditions and changes. In addition, it unites and integrates the efforts of all stakeholders in the country to achieve the ambitious goals and objectives of the strategy.
The National Strategy for the Sustainability of Marine and Coastal Environment aims to raise awareness about the concepts of marine and coastal environment and integrate them in the planning and decision-making processes by paying attention to practices and sustainable use of marine natural resources to develop domestic policies and national legislation. It will also contribute towards improving biodiversity and genetic diversity by protecting habitats and species as well as rehabilitating degraded coastal ecosystems to increase the proportion of coastal and marine protected areas and establish a network of ecosystems with effective management.
That strategy’s action plan includes major directives and initiatives to protect the marine and coastal ecosystems and ensuring their sustainability; prevention and reduction of the effects of pollution on the marine and coastal environment; promotion of integrated coastal zone management and adaptation to climate changes; development of overall monitoring and control over the marine and coastal environment and increased awareness and education; capacity building; institutional and legislative development; and strengthening of regional and international cooperation in the field of marine and coastal environmental protection.
The UAE ranked 1st in the Marine Protected Areas Index 2014, having launched several programs to protect various endangered forms of marine life. This includes Abu Dhabi’s Dugong Conservation Campaign and the Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project by Jumeirah Group. The UAE has also acceded to numerous international and regional treaties that aim to protect marine and coastal ecosystems, including protocols and agreements of the International Maritime Organization and the Convention on Biological Diversity.