The Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) and the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) have signed a new agreement aimed at enhancing sustainable environmental development and protection in the UAE
Signed by Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, secretary general of EAD, and Ismahane Elouafi, director general of ICBA, the memorandum of understanding (MoU) spells out the main areas of cooperation in ensuring the sustainable use of natural resources such as groundwater, soil and biodiversity.
Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, said, “We have a long-standing relationship with ICBA, and together we will be able to apply the larger framework for the conservation of the environment in Abu Dhabi through initiating projects that will safeguard the soil, groundwater, and biodiversity. Through this partnership, which will span three years, we will be able to develop studies of our natural habitats and lead research that will help us achieve our vision of protecting our nature, resources, and species.”
For her part, Ismahane Elouafi commented, “This new MoU will allow us to do much more together and support further Abu Dhabi's environmental protection.”
The agreement stipulates collaboration in, among other things, rangeland rehabilitation and management; data sharing; exchange of seeds and native plants; use of germplasm from ICBA’s gene bank for some of EAD's seed collections; and research on drought-resistant species which could be potentially used for restoring some degraded habitats.
Moreover, the agreement focuses on joint work on the use of remote-sensing and drone technologies for propagation and habitat monitoring; soil quality monitoring, assessment and mapping; applied research on hydroponics; and the use of reject brine from desalination units.
The two organisations will also cooperate in capacity development in water management in general and innovative water-saving technologies in particular; as well as training EAD staff in gene sequencing and other aspects of genomics.
EAD and ICBA also aim to conduct joint research on developing native plant species adapted to dryland conditions for restoration programmes; develop and update water policies and strategies; and study the impact of climate change on water resources.
