As the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 started in Abu Dhabi this week, ESG Mena spoke with HE Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Assistant Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector, MOCCAE. In this conversation, she discusses the UAE’s national vision for biodiversity, how the country is positioning itself as a global convener for nature-based solutions, and the crucial role of youth and communities in sustaining conservation efforts beyond the Congress.
How do you view the UAE’s role at the IUCN Congress and its contribution to global biodiversity policies?
With the IUCN, we’ve hosted this Congress because nature is something that we have always prioritized. Nature is very close to us — its protection is engraved in our DNA. And working with the IUCN, the biggest platform for nature, we’re hoping to convene the world here.
What do you hope to achieve by hosting this global platform in Abu Dhabi?
What we want to do is create platforms for solutions. With the rate of biodiversity loss and with what we are seeing in terms of climate change and all the challenges facing nature, we need solutions. Business as usual is not going to work anymore. We need solutions that are going to be disruptive — solutions that are going to change the trajectory where nature, based on data and science, is currently headed.
Can you share examples of how the UAE is addressing biodiversity loss domestically?
We have extensive experience in the UAE. We have actually reversed the loss of many species and improved the status of several others, from extinct to even least concern, and from endangered to recovered. So we do have a lot of experience.
How do you plan to share these local experiences with the international community?
We want to work and convene the international community to share experiences, best practices, and scientific knowledge. Of course, we want to develop legislation based on data and science, but we also want to make sure that indigenous people have a voice. Traditional knowledge is important — they are closest to nature and understand it better than anyone else.
You mentioned the importance of inclusive participation. How will you ensure that the initiatives and alliances formed here continue beyond the Congress?
We also want to ensure that all initiatives and alliances emerging from the IUCN Congress are carried forward after the event. And who can do that better than the youth?
The UAE has declared this year the “Year of Community.” How will you ensure that the outcomes and knowledge from the Congress reach the broader community and youth?
We are actually hosting a Youth Summit before the Congress starts tomorrow. We’ve been working with youth in the lead-up to the IUCN to understand their priorities so that we can set the agenda with them in mind. We have more than 700 youth participating in the Congress.
That’s an impressive level of engagement. What specific opportunities will young participants have during the event?
There will also be a pavilion dedicated to youth, and many ministers will attend these sessions. We truly believe that youth will carry forward the UAE’s legacy and the alliances that emerge from this Congress — and that starts with including them from day one.
Will the Ministry set any new frameworks or policies for local communities following the Congress?
We are actually already working on that. Before the event, we started a new tradition that we call the “Majlis of Nature.” We’ve held three Majlis so far — one with the international community, one with the government community, and one with the private sector, as well as the third sector, including philanthropists, youth, and others.
What is the aim of these “Majlis of Nature”?
We want these Majlis to continue because they provide a platform for open dialogue, much like the traditional Arabic Majlis, where people come together and speak from the heart.
Are you planning to expand these discussions across the Emirates?
Definitely, that’s an idea in mind. We’ve already had participants from all Emirates — Dubai, Sharjah, and others — and we want to keep this inclusive approach as we move forward.