UAE President Orders 20 % of Abu Dhabi Land to Become Nature Reserves

The leadership of the Abu Dhabi emirate has ordered that 20 % of its total land area be designated as nature reserves, marking a major expansion in protected natural areas. This initiative includes the creation of multiple new terrestrial and marine reserves and the enlargement of existing ones. The project aligns with the country’s national biodiversity strategy and its hosting of a major global conservation congress in 2025.

The expanded protected-areas network will be managed by the relevant environmental agency and now covers approximately 22,821 square kilometres across 26 reserves, up from previous totals. New terrestrial areas include the Al Wathba Fossil Dunes Reserve, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir Reserve and Ghaf Natural Reserve; marine additions include the Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve and Sir Bani Yas and Desert Islands Marine Reserve.

By dedicating such a substantial land-area share to conservation, Abu Dhabi aims to support its biodiversity goals, protect ecosystems from climate change impacts, and reaffirm its role as a regional leader in sustainability. The move signals a strong commitment to nature-first development and positions the emirate as a model for balancing growth and environmental stewardship.

A 20 percent land-area protected-reserve share, covering approximately 22,821 square kilometres across 26 reserves, places Abu Dhabi among the more ambitious jurisdictions globally on the "30 by 30" biodiversity trajectory. The mix of terrestrial and marine reserves (Al Wathba Fossil Dunes, Liwa Groundwater Reservoir, Ghaf Natural Reserve, Abu Al Abyad Marine Reserve) reflects a portfolio approach to ecosystem-representative conservation.

The alignment with the UAE's hosting of a major global conservation congress in 2025 signals intent to shape international biodiversity policy dialogue, not just meet domestic conservation goals. For emirate-level and federal authorities, credibility on biodiversity is increasingly central to attracting international sustainable-finance flows and to positioning in ESG-country-risk assessments.

For corporates operating in the UAE with land- or ocean-dependent operations, financial institutions supporting nature-linked investment, and CSR partners engaged in biodiversity conservation, Cognitud's nature-based solutions, impact assessment and sustainability due diligence teams help clients evaluate exposure to protected-area regulations, structure biodiversity offset and restoration programmes, and prepare disclosures aligned with TNFD, SBTN and jurisdictional biodiversity frameworks.