Dugong Conservation Initiative Led By MBZ Fund And Mubadala Expands Across UAE And Asia

The Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and Mubadala are entering a two-year partnership worth $3 million to support dugong conservation, expand seagrass protection and back early career conservation leaders in the UAE, while also continuing targeted wildlife projects in Asia that focus on endangered mammals and reptiles.

The collaboration will channel funding into the UAE and four other countries, aiming to protect dugongs and seagrass ecosystems, extend two existing Asian conservation programmes, and establish a UAE Conservation Leaders initiative that will help build a skilled pipeline of local conservation professionals working on practical, field-based projects.

The new dugong conservation initiative covers the UAE, Indonesia, Malaysia, Timor-Leste and Thailand, and will address both species protection and seagrass habitat management. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak said the work will support a flagship UAE species while linking national efforts to wider regional conservation networks and coastal communities.

Indonesia, Malaysia and Timor-Leste already took part in the GEF Dugong & Seagrass Conservation Project from 2015 to 2019. Bringing these states into the new effort is expected to deepen ties with the UAE, enhance biodiversity outcomes and support coexistence between coastal communities and marine wildlife.

The UAE Conservation Leaders programme will target early career practitioners, offering them funding opportunities to test new approaches in real projects. The partnership aims to develop a strong base of local expertise so that more conservation decisions and field activities are planned and led by people already working in the country.

In the UAE, the partners plan to support grassroots projects through a local small grants scheme, drawing on 16 years of experience from a global programme managed by the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. The intention is to strengthen on-the-ground work across many themes rather than limit support to a narrow set of disciplines.

Projects may cover field conservation, applied science and technology, policy and advocacy, education, storytelling, community engagement and nature-based solutions. Applicants of any nationality who are working in the UAE will be able to apply, with preference given to proposals that centre on field work and show clear conservation impact within local ecosystems.

A review board made up of representatives from the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the Mubadala Foundation will assess proposals and allocate an estimated six to ten grants each year. This structure is designed to align funding decisions with both scientific priorities and wider social benefits in local communities.

"We are open to supporting a diverse set of applicants: students, experienced individuals seeking to provide opportunities for hands-on conservation right here in the UAE," said Al Mubarak.

The current two-year arrangement follows an earlier three-year partnership between the same organisations, which ended in 2024. During that first phase, the partners worked with eight organisations, ran more than 300 expeditions in five countries and delivered 11 projects across 63 sites that linked conservation activity with community development.

"What an incredible journey it has been!," said Al Mubarak. "Together with our eight partners, we carried out over 300 expeditions across five countries, implementing 11 projects at 63 sites. Local communities gained access to improved healthcare, education, jobs, ecotourism, and alternative livelihoods. Over this period, we helped expand scientific knowledge of 11 endangered species, raised awareness among thousands of people and supported local communities in important biodiversity hotspots. We are excited and hopeful about the possibilities of our collaboration, including here in the UAE, and abroad."

Two initiatives funded under that first partnership will continue. In Indonesia, a project on the Sumatran tiger and small wild cat species has completed one of the most extensive camera trap surveys on wild cats in Sumatra, and helped reduce snaring, poaching and illegal logging. In Thailand, another project supports the Siamese crocodile and two otter species along the Petchburi River in Kaeng Krachan National Park.

"This initiative underscores our unwavering commitment to nurturing homegrown talent and fostering impactful partnerships that protect our planet," said Homaid Al Shimmari, Deputy Group CEO at Mubadala. "By empowering young conservationists and investing in the protection of vital species such as the dugong, we are not only preserving biodiversity but also reinforcing the UAE’s position as a global leader in environmental stewardship."

"Beyond species survival, this initiative highlights the role of seagrass as a vital carbon sink and promotes a transformative approach to marine and land resource management," said Al Mubarak, who added that extending UAE backing for the Asian projects will help local partners pursue more ambitious goals while also supporting dugong and seagrass conservation at home.

With inputs from WAM