The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) received a delegation from the German Development Cooperation Agency (GIZ) and German conservation NGO Succow Foundation to enhance bilateral cooperation and share experiences on biosphere reserves.

The teams also discussed ecotourism, and environmental conservation during the visit.

During the tour, MOCCAE, represented by its Biodiversity Department, shared its insights on ecotourism prospects in UNESCO Man and Biosphere (MAB) marine sites and explored collaboration areas to control marine pollution and promote sustainable aquatic environment.

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The visit featured a tour of Marawah Marine Biosphere Reserve, the region's largest and first UNESCO-designated marine reserve that teems with abundant wildlife.

The biosphere reserve is home to more than 60 percent of the UAE’s population of dugongs and boasts vast stretches of mangroves. Its waters are a good place to spot bottlenose and humpback dolphins and seabirds, four species of marine turtles, 70 species of fish, and coral reefs.

The delegation also toured historical landmarks in Abu Dhabi, including Qasr Al Hosn, and had the opportunity to visit the Pearl Farm and the National Aquarium, the largest aquarium in the Middle East.

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