The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MoCCAE) has signed a Joint Declaration of Intent with the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection in the Federal Republic of Germany for the “Green Coast Initiative”. This initiative aims to collaborate in the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of mangrove trees in African countries as part of their efforts to address climate change.

The Joint Declaration of Intent was signed by Mariam bint Mohammed Almheiri, Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Steffi Lemke, Federal Minister for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection in the Federal Republic of Germany, during the 28th UN Climate Change Conference (COP28) in Expo City Dubai. The initiative is supported by the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD).

Mariam Almheiri said, "We are pleased to collaborate with the Federal Ministry for the Environment in Germany to launch the 'Green Coast Initiative,' which aims to implement activities within African countries to support climate protection, conservation of biological diversity and the implementation of nature-based solutions, namely the protection, restoration, and sustainable management of mangroves.”

She added, "Undoubtedly, the initiative has a special significance as it coincides with COP28, where we have achieved considerable progress in expanding mangrove tree planting. We have announced that the Mangrove Alliance for Climate now has 38 nation members, an initiative that we launched in collaboration with the Republic of Indonesia. This also supports our commitment to planting 100 million mangroves in the UAE by 2030. Additionally, we have announced the establishment of an International Mangrove Research Center to further advance our efforts in expanding global mangrove planting in various environments around the world."

Dr. Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary-General of EAD said, “Within the framework of the Abu Dhabi Mangrove Initiative, and in light of the success of EAD in using modern technologies and drones to rehabilitate mangrove trees, the Agency, in cooperation with the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, will support the “Green Coast Initiative”. This will be achieved by transferring our successful experience and expertise to African countries, where planting mangroves is considered a nature-based solution that contributes to confronting the challenge of climate change, and absorbing and sequestering greenhouse gas emissions globally.

Dr. Al Dhaheri said that supporting this initiative is part of efforts by EAD to develop collaborative agreements with organisations at the regional and international levels to preserve and restore mangrove ecosystems, such as the Zoological Society of London, and other members of the Global Mangrove Alliance. “This is to benchmark our approaches and support building capacity, disseminate best practices, and contribute to the global goal of protecting mangrove ecosystems.”

The Joint Declaration of Intent between MoCCAE and the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, and Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection in Germany aims to collaborate on issues such as identifying potential areas for restoration or protection of existing mangroves in African partner countries, training local experts, and involvement of diverse local stakeholders, including marginalised groups.

The collaboration also includes the development of concepts for the long-term economic and social viability of mangrove areas through the exchange of expertise and best practices regarding sustainable use, restoration, and protection of mangroves. Both parties also provide technical support and expertise for the planting, management and restoration of mangrove areas. Additionally, both entities intend to establish a financing vehicle to support the relevant nations.

The collaboration also includes driving scientific exchange on the restoration and sustainable management of mangrove areas between academia in the United Arab Emirates, African countries, other countries, scientific institutions, and local communities active in the thematic research, networks and initiatives such as the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) and others.