During the second Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) meeting held on the sidelines of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan on November 21, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, the UAE’s Minister of Climate Change and Environment, announced the MAC Strategy 2031.
Dr. Al Dahak co-chaired the ministerial meeting alongside Nani Hendiarti, Deputy for Coordination of Environmental and Forestry Management at the Coordinating Ministry of Maritime Affairs and Investment, in the presence of several ministers from MAC member countries, according to WAM.
The meeting reviewed the MAC Strategy 2031 and discussed future collaborative efforts to promote global mangrove restoration. The discussions focused on strengthening joint initiatives aimed at expanding and protecting mangrove ecosystems worldwide.
UAE's Commitment to Mangrove Conservation
In her opening remarks, Dr. Al Dahak highlighted the UAE’s efforts to conserve and expand mangrove forests, emphasizing the country's contributions to global mangrove ecosystems. She highlighted the vital benefits of mangrove ecosystems in climate mitigation and adaptation, and nurturing various marine and coastal species.
100 Million Mangroves by 2030
Dr. Al Dahak noted that mangroves act as a natural carbon absorbent, capturing four times more carbon than rainforests. They provide natural flood protection, prevent erosion, and help limit sea level rise. “In the UAE, we recognize the critical role mangrove forests play in helping us achieve our nation’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy,” she affirmed. “At COP26 in 2021, we increased our ambition to expand the UAE’s mangrove cover and pledged to restore 100 million mangroves by 2030.”
She underscored the importance of collaboration, referencing the successes of the MAC and the closely coordinated efforts of its members. Dr. Al Dahak thanked Indonesia for its steadfast support of global mangrove conservation and welcomed contributions from other members towards enhancing their ecosystems.
Global Collaboration in Support of MAC
As she unveiled the MAC Strategy 2031, Dr. Al Dahak asserted that the alliance’s collective efforts to enhance mangrove conservation globally were encapsulated in the Strategy, which provides a blueprint to enable mangrove ecosystems to thrive on a global scale. This Strategy raises MAC’s ambitions in mangrove conservation and will drive clear and coordinated action.
Following her speech, Nani Hendiarti delivered a keynote address, and a presentation was made about the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative. The meeting concluded with interventions from member states and closing remarks from Dr. Al Dahak and Hendiarti.
Objectives and Pledges
MAC members pledged to rehabilitate and restore mangroves within their countries while supporting similar efforts internationally. By doing so, the alliance aims to enhance and reinforce the ongoing commitments of member countries in various areas, including scientific research, coastal management and conservation, education, climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and relevant policymaking.
Before the ministerial meeting, technical committees representing all 45 member countries convened at COP26 in Cali, Colombia, to review and finalize the proposed MAC Strategy 2031 for ministerial deliberation.
This Strategy serves as a roadmap to support member states in fulfilling their mangrove conservation commitments and promoting sustainable climate action through nature-based solutions.
