The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and Emirates Wildlife Society in association with World Wide Fund for Nature (EWS -WWF) have signed a three-year agreement to implement education and awareness campaigns in the UAE. In particular, the agreement proposes campaigns that revolve around three themes: Biodiversity, Water and the UAE's Ecological Footprint.
Campaigns to be implemented will focus on the creation of more marine protected areas and the traditional use of the sea. Focus will also be given to important local species that hold a high heritage value to the UAE. Moreover, the campaigns will raise awareness about species for which conservation measures will have a greater impact including marine turtles, sailfish, Arabian tahr, Arabian leopard and the Arabian oryx. The campaigns will also aim to encourage sustainable use of water resources and encourage people to reduce their own personal footprint.
"EWS-WWF welcomes the agreement with EAD on environmental education and awareness, which holds high priority for us as a means to promote nature conservation and sustainable living. We look forward to garnering support for the protection of biodiversity from all levels of society through the education projects and campaigns we have planned as part of this partnership," said Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Director, EWS -WWF.
"The themes upon which the campaign will revolve are issues of priority to both EAD and EWS-WWF. We are looking forward to working together as one team. Our goals and theirs converge and we want to leverage that to ensure that environmental awareness is brought to those who need it in the UAE," said Maisa Al Nuwais, Director, Environmental Education and Awareness Division, EAD.
EAD will continue to provide the Abu Dhabi Government's position on the themes and provide the needed data and statistics to ensure both relevancy and scientific/data integrity to the campaigns developed. According to the agreement, EWS-WWF will be responsible for redeveloping and managing the unique Enviro-Spellathon programme. This environmental education programme has been widely received by students, teachers and parents across the UAE since it was launched in 2002. It has effectively brought awareness on the local environment into the classroom of thousands of school children. EWS-WWF will also develop a framework for building the capacity of UAE national employees in the field of education and awareness.
Environment Agency, Abu-Dhabi
Environmental Agency Abu-Dhabi (EAD) was established in 1996 (previously known as the Environment Research and Wildlife Development Agency ERWDA). The Environmental Agency for Abu Dhabi Emirate is committed to protect and manage the rich biodiversity, provide a clean environment and promote sustainable development patterns in the Emirate of Abu Dhabi. EAD's commitment is guided by efforts to create a better understanding about the natural resources of the Emirate and leave a rich legacy for future generations.
Emirates Wildlife Society
Emirates Wildlife Society (EWS) is a national environmental NGO established in February 2001. EWS works at the federal level and aims to promote the conservation of nature in the UAE. EWS implements all its conservation projects through partnerships with existing government and non-government organizations in the country. This is done in order to build/ add to local knowledge as well as local capacity in addressing environmental issues. To better achieve its goals, EWS has partnered with and works in association with the world's most experienced conservation organization, WWF. This partnership is known as EWS-WWF.
World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF)
WWF, the global conservation organization, works to stop the degradation of the planet's natural environment and to build a future in which humans live in harmony with nature, by:
- conserving the world's biological diversity
- ensuring that the use of renewable natural resources is sustainable
- promoting the reduction of pollution and wasteful consumption.
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For Further Information, Please Contact:
Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi
Environmental Education and Awareness Division
Laila Y. Al-Hassan or Sobhia El Masri
T: +9712 693-4638/637
F: +9712 681-7359
E: lalhasan@ead.ae or selmasri@ead.ae
www.ead.ae
Emirates Wildlife Society/ World Wildlife Fund for Nature
Rashmi De Roy
T: +9714 353-7761
F: +9714 353-7752
E: rderoy@wwfuae.ae
www.panda.org/uae
© Press Release 2007
