Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi Partners with Biosaline Center for Sustainable Resource Management

Photo : Abu Dhabi Media Office

In a significant move aligned with the UAE’s Year of Sustainability, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) has entered into a partnership with the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) to enhance the sustainable management of Abu Dhabi’s natural resources. The signing of the memorandum of understanding (MoU) aims to facilitate effective cooperation on projects related to groundwater, soil, and biodiversity, thereby supporting the emirate's sustainable development goals.

The agreement was formalized in a ceremony attended by Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD and Chairperson of ICBA, along with Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, and Her Excellency Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA. The event was witnessed by the executive management teams of both organizations, showcasing their commitment to environmental sustainability.

Prior to the signing, Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri visited the ICBA headquarters to explore the latest innovations and technologies in agriculture and learn about the center's initiatives in modern biosaline agriculture.

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Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak emphasized the long-standing collaboration between EAD and ICBA, stating, "For over two decades, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi has been a steadfast supporter of the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture. Our collective efforts have significantly advanced sustainable agriculture and environmental conservation. This new MoU reinforces our commitment to addressing critical challenges such as water scarcity, soil degradation, and biodiversity loss. I am confident that our ongoing collaboration will yield meaningful advancements in environmental sustainability, further strengthening the UAE's leadership in these essential domains."

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri expressed enthusiasm about the achievements of ICBA in advancing saline agriculture and increasing crop productivity. She highlighted the alignment of their objectives, stating, “Through this partnership, we have an extensive list of projects we will be launching, all aimed at meeting Abu Dhabi's sustainable development goals in line with our leadership’s vision. Our joint efforts will focus on natural resource management, habitat rehabilitation, soil protection, and species conservation, ensuring future generations have the resources needed for healthy lives.”

Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi also welcomed the extended partnership, noting that it aims to safeguard essential natural resources such as soil, water, and groundwater in the UAE. “The strategic partnership of more than 20 years between EAD and ICBA has significantly advanced the missions of both organizations and has been behind several natural resource conservation initiatives in Abu Dhabi. This new MoU will enable us to achieve even more together and further support Abu Dhabi’s environmental protection efforts,” she stated.

The MoU outlines plans for joint exploration, design, and implementation of specific projects. One key objective is to incorporate green energy innovations into forestry and green areas to mitigate the negative impacts associated with traditional fossil fuel energy sources used in irrigation systems. Additionally, the agreement aims to monitor rangelands and rehabilitate areas to enhance biomass for livestock and wildlife.

Both organizations will share data to enhance analysis capabilities, integrating ICBA’s maps with EAD’s proprietary information. The partnership will also focus on seed sharing, emphasizing native plants from Abu Dhabi and other UAE regions, and promoting diversity through exchange programs. Research will be conducted on drought-resistant species to bolster habitat restoration efforts while minimizing water resource use.

EAD and ICBA plan to adopt advanced technologies and best practices for efficient water use, including the deployment of remote-sensing and drone technologies to monitor habitats and assess environmental quality. Their collaborative research will address the management of reject brine from desalination processes, investigate hydroponics, and explore best practices for forage crop management to optimize groundwater use. The research will also include studies on biochar for remediating contaminated land and its effects on heavy metals in soil.

Further research will examine biochar’s role in reducing water requirements, carbon sequestration in soil, and its long-term impact on soil biodiversity and natural vegetation. The partnership will also involve joint efforts in gene sequencing, data analysis, and understanding the relationship between genetic information and plant characteristics.

In addition, the MoU encompasses restoration programs for dryland-adapted varieties of native plants and the integration of UAV technologies into these initiatives. To raise educational awareness, both EAD and ICBA will develop interactive electronic resources focusing on land degradation and prevention strategies. They will collaborate on planning initiatives and research projects, publishing outcomes to support sustainable environmental preservation and addressing local and regional environmental issues.

This partnership between the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi and the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture signifies a proactive step towards fostering sustainable resource management, ensuring the protection of the emirate's natural environment for future generations.

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