UAE’s Nature Guardians Majlis Rallies Private and Third Sectors for a Nature-Positive Future Ahead of IUCN 2025
As the UAE prepares to host the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE) convened the third edition of the Nature Guardians Majlis, spotlighting the role of private sector companies, NGOs, academia, and finance in advancing a nature-positive economy.
Chaired by H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, Minister of Climate Change and Environment, the Majlis brought together leaders from across industries to explore how conservation can drive economic opportunity, attract investment, and ensure resilience for both people and the planet.
From Global Ambition to National Action
Building on earlier Majlis editions in New York and Dubai, this gathering shifted the lens to the UAE’s national engines of innovation. Participants explored how non-state actors can complement government-led strategies to embed nature into core business, financial, and development frameworks.
“The private sector and the third sector are among the most important pillars of the UAE’s development journey,” HE Dr. Amna Al Dahak noted. “Together, we are shaping a resilient, nature-positive economy that benefits both people and the planet.”
A New Economic Paradigm
Discussions emphasised a move beyond Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) towards integrating biodiversity and ecosystem resilience into business models, supply chains, and financing. By positioning conservation as an investable growth market, the Majlis highlighted the potential of instruments such as green bonds, carbon credits, and blended finance to scale nature-based solutions.
Science, Innovation, and Artificial Intelligence
Academic and research institutions, including NYU Abu Dhabi and Khorfakkan University, shared insights on science-based and AI-driven solutions. Participants explored how AI and advanced data analytics can credibly measure biodiversity outcomes, prove ROI, and enhance accountability in nature-positive strategies.
Forging Cross-Sector Partnerships
The forum underscored the power of integrated partnerships between corporations, innovators, NGOs, and financiers. Leaders from ADNOC, Emirates Nature–WWF, Beeah Group, IFAW, and others worked on frameworks for collaboration designed to unlock capital, de-risk projects, and fast-track scalable solutions.
A National Roadmap to IUCN 2025
Structured around four dialogue rounds—Leadership, Investment, Innovation, and Legacy—the Majlis produced consolidated recommendations for the UAE’s leadership at IUCN 2025. Key outcomes included:
Public commitments to invest and innovate for nature.
Scalable frameworks for cross-sector partnerships.
Policy recommendations to inform UAE’s position at IUCN 2025.
Coordination mechanisms to integrate projects and avoid duplication.
A renewed focus on community awareness as a cornerstone of success.
Showcasing the Emirati Model
The Majlis reaffirmed the UAE’s ambition to lead global dialogue on the balance between economic growth and environmental protection. By highlighting its own development model—where conservation is embedded into national strategy—the UAE positions itself as a global hub for pioneering nature-based solutions.
As momentum builds towards IUCN 2025, the Nature Guardians Majlis has laid the groundwork for a collaborative, science-driven, and innovation-led approach to a nature-positive future.
