Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), yesterday highlighted the significant role women have played in the field of environmental conservation during an event organised by the International Fund for Animal Welfare (IFAW), which was held at the Women’s Pavilion at Expo 2020 entitled: ‘Women in Conservation: let’s get to work’

Alongside Her Excellency, Mariam bint Mohammed Saeed Hareb Al Mheiri, Minister of Climate Change and Environment also took part virtually.

Her Excellency Dr Shaikha said: “For many years women have been actively involved in conservation to the extent that they are now eulogized as symbols of nature as ‘Mother Earth.’ Many women have made a noticeable impact on the environment within their own communities and beyond.”

Her Excellency Dr. Shaikha elaborated on women in the field of environment in the UAE: “The UAE has its own share of female environmental leaders. One of them is our Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Her Excellency Mariam Al Mheiri. Under her leadership during these critical COVID times, the UAE has stepped up its ambition to expand its mangrove cover to reach 100 million trees by 2030 and to lead and coordinate efforts to execute the UAE Net Zero by 2050 strategic initiative. The UAE will also continue to develop plans, strategies and policies related to the environment, agriculture, animal husbandry and fisheries.

“Another Emirati woman who plays a key role in the global conservation efforts is Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Managing Director of EAD. She helped establish Emirates Nature-WWF, one of the first environmental NGOs in the UAE and set up the Mohamed bin Zayed (MBZ) Species Conservation Fund. She currently serves as the president of the world’s oldest and largest conservation organisations, the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN), becoming the first woman from the Arab region to lead this unique global organization.”

Her Excellency stressed on the fact that as an Emirati woman, she has always looked to the example set by the wise leadership of the UAE. She added: “The leadership has always empowered women and provided us all with the support and resources to help build our beloved country, protect our natural heritage and fulfil our ambitions and aspirations.

‘‘For decades, Her Highness Sheikha Fatima bint Mubarak, our ‘Mother of the Nation’ has inspired us. She continues to inspire us even today. We now have more women in our workforce in the UAE, more than ever before. According to a 2020 estimate, nearly 18% of the total workforce is female.”

The IFAWevent at the Women’s Pavilion at EXPO 2020, was organised to showcase and amplify the efforts of women in the region, from the highest level of government and international organizations to current influencers who are engaging new generations of young women to follow the path of environmental conservation. Attending from IFAW was Azzedine Downes, President and CEO of the organisation.

In1969, IFAW was founded by Brian Davies with a goal to stop the commercial hunt for whitecoat seals on the east coast of Canada and in 2019, it celebrated its 50th anniversary.