Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan approves EAD's plans for Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Abu Dhabi

Abu Dhabi (WAM): H.H. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Ruler's Representative in the Western Region, Chairman of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), has approved the Agency's plan for the development of the Plant Genetic Resources Centre in Abu Dhabi, which is managed and supervised by EAD. The Plant Genetic Resources Centre aims to document the genetic resources of local bio-diverse plant species, and study and protect them by utilising an integrated approach that includes internal and external conservational methods for these species to sustain biodiversity. Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed emphasised the importance of the centre as part of the U.A.E.’s leadership in environmental conservation and sustainable development, and in enhancing the reclamation of the natural environment for rehabilitation programmes in addition to supporting programmes for the reintroduction of different endangered species. The approval came during the Board of Directors of Environment Agency-Abu Dhabi (EAD) chaired by H.H. Sheikh Hamdan, in the presence of H.H. Sheikh Mansour bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Presidential Affairs; H.H. Sheikh Hamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Chief of Abu Dhabi Crown Prince's Court, Sheikh Sultan bin Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Sheikh Nahyan bin Hamdan Al Nahyan; Dr. Rashid Ahmed bin Fahad, Minister of Environment and Water; Mohammed Ahmed Al Bawardi, Managing Director of EAD; Engineer Ahmed Mohammed Sharif Ali, Chief Advisor of the Department of Municipal Affairs; and Ahmed Thani Murshed Ghanam Al Rumaithi, Chairman of Abu Dhabi Sailing and Yacht Club. The board meeting was also attended by Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of EAD, along with Dr. Jaber Al Jabri, Deputy Secretary General of EAD, and Dr. Abdulla Essa Zamzam, Assistant Secretary General of Operations at EAD. During the meeting, Sheikh Hamdan, expressed his pride and appreciation for the support of His Highness Sheikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the U.A.E., and His Highness General Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Deputy Supreme Commander of the U.A.E. Armed Forces, Honorary President of EAD, which has great impact on boosting environment protection efforts and the preservation of natural resources. Following a thorough review of performance indicators identified in EAD’s 2011-2015 corporate strategy, the Board of Directors also recognised EAD’s achievements in 2014, praising the organisation for effectively managing environmental risks across the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, and for identifying and pursuing opportunities to enhance innovation and research in preserving natural resources. The Board directed EAD to intensify its efforts in the coming years to increase investment in funding programmes to enhance the fish stock levels, prevent their deterioration and in turn preserve U.A.E.'s fish resources. In order to achieve this goal, EAD will initiate a comprehensive fish resource assessment survey for U.A.E. in 2015, in addition EAD will work with the Ministry of Environment and Water, to develop a unified approach to manage fisheries resources across the U.A.E.. The Board was also briefed on EAD’s preparation for the first reintroduction attempt of the Scimitar Horned Oryx back into its natural habitat, in collaboration with the Government of Chad. The reintroduction programme seeks to promote a healthy and sustainable environment for approximately 500 Scimitar Horned Oryx over a period of five years, in an isolated natural reserve within the Achim Valley reserve in Chad. The Board also approved a plan to establish the Delija Wildlife Protection Centre, a unique centre in terms of design and size, and will serve as a facility to protect and breed endangered species like the Scimitar Horned Oryx. The Board also reviewed EAD’s efforts in managing terrestrial and marine protected areas in Abu Dhabi which contributed to strengthening the country's position on the map of global environmental action, and clearly reflected through international reports such as The Environmental Performance Index (EPI) of Yale University which ranked U.A.E. first in the Marine Reserves Index and 15th in the Biodiversity and Habitat Index, advancing from the 23rd place in 2012, and 25th globally, advancing 52 ranks from 2012. The meeting also saw the Board review of EAD’s preparations following the announcement of opening three eco-reserves to the public including Al Wathba Wetland Reserve, the Mangrove National Park, and later Qasr Al Sarab Protected Area, enabling the community to explore Abu Dhabi’s natural heritage. The Board also reviewed EAD's efforts to improve the process around the issuance of environmental licenses in Abu Dhabi in line with the rapid development of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, through the expansion of the inspectors scope of work and the increasing field visits to monitor the impact of projects, industrial investments and economic activities on the environmental and biodiversity sustainability and public health in the Emirate. EAD’s regulatory role was also recognised in encouraging environmental permitted facilities to incorporate environmental practices and methodologies within their existing business plans. Through collaboration with partners in the industrial sectors, EAD’s efforts resulted in an overall decrease of issued violations in comparison to last year. - Emirates News Agency, WAM – http://www.wam.ae/en/news/emirates-international/1395271922229.html