UAE Pledges $10 Million to Boost Asia-Pacific Resilience

In a landmark move to bolster disaster preparedness across Asia and the Pacific, the United Arab Emirates has announced the allocation of US$10 million to support communities vulnerable to natural hazards. The announcement came during the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, underscoring the UAE’s growing leadership in humanitarian and environmental initiatives.

The funding, launched under the directives of President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, will be channelled through the UAE Aid Agency to implement the Community Resilience to Natural Disasters Programme. The programme is being carried out by Emirates Nature–WWF, in collaboration with the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF) and the International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC).

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The initiative focuses on using nature-based solutions to strengthen communities’ capacity to withstand and adapt to climate shocks such as floods, storms, and rising sea levels. By restoring ecosystems like mangroves, coral reefs, and wetlands, the programme aims to build natural barriers that reduce the impact of disasters while protecting biodiversity.

The first phase of the programme will be rolled out in the Philippines, Indonesia, Fiji, and the Solomon Islands, creating a model that can be scaled across the wider region. Alongside ecosystem restoration, the initiative will promote sustainable livelihoods—from eco-tourism to climate-smart agriculture—helping local populations diversify income and build long-term resilience.

Early warning systems and risk reduction plans will also be developed in partnership with local communities, ensuring that preparedness and response strategies are rooted in local knowledge and conditions.

With this commitment, the UAE reinforces its vision of readiness over response, empowering communities before disasters strike. The $10 million contribution marks the start of a broader collaborative effort, inviting public and private partners to co-finance and expand the programme for lasting regional impact.