Nature Is in Our DNA: An Interview with Hiba Al Shehhi on the UAE’s Vision for Biodiversity and Community Engagement

As the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025 unfolds in Abu Dhabi, ESG Mena spoke with Her Excellency Hiba Obaid Al Shehhi, Acting Undersecretary for Biodiversity and Marine Life Sector at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment in the UAE. 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?

Biodiversity is deeply engraved in our national ethos. It’s a legacy of our Founding Father, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, and stems from a deep respect for nature and natural heritage, which we want to carry forward to the next generation. By hosting this prestigious event, the UAE acts as a crucial bridge between local initiatives and international progress, fostering essential elements like equity, innovative leadership, and the transition towards a nature-positive economy.

Our aim is to elevate nature to centre stage, driving tangible commitments and concrete actions rather than just discussions. The Congress significantly amplifies worldwide attention on critical environmental challenges and the urgent need for collective effort.

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.

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 “Nature Guardians Majlis.” We’ve held three sessions 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 “Nature Guardians Majlis”? 
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.