UAE President Shaikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has directed an increase in the area of nature reserves in Abu Dhabi to reach 20% of the emirate’s total land area.
The initiative aligns with the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 programme and reinforces the UAE’s commitment to global leadership in sustainability and environmental preservation.
The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi will manage the newly designated reserves, which will cover 4,581 square kilometres. These will be added to the Zayed Protected Areas Network, which currently includes 13 terrestrial and six marine reserves. The total number of protected areas will rise to 26, spanning 22,821 square kilometres.
The announcement coincides with the UAE’s historic hosting of the IUCN World Conservation Congress for the first time in the region. The event is organised by the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and has taken place from 9-15 October 2025 at ADNEC Centre in Abu Dhabi.
The expansion includes the designation of three new terrestrial reserves: Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve and Ghaf Natural Reserve. It also includes the expansion of the Qasr Al Sarab Reserve, and the establishment of two new marine reserves: Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve. Additionally, the Ras Ghanada Marine Reserve will be expanded.
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