UAE President's $40M Donation Strengthens Global Fight For Endangered Species

President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has significantly increased the financial backing for global species conservation by announcing a US$40m contribution to the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund). This announcement was made by Razan Al Mubarak, Managing Director of the MBZ Fund and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, during her speech at the Asian Venture Philanthropy Forum (AVPN) Global Conference 2024 held at the St. Regis on Saadiyat Island in Abu Dhabi.

The MBZ Fund, established in 2009 by His Highness, has been a pivotal force in supporting grassroots species conservation efforts worldwide, spanning 170 countries. With this new contribution, the Fund's endowment is set to surpass $70 million by 2028, marking a significant milestone in its commitment to preserving nature.

"The establishment of the Fund and this additional support for the endowment demonstrate the President's keen interest in the natural world and underscore the UAE's long-term commitment to nature and species conservation," Al Mubarak stated. This move is inspired by a comprehensive review of the Fund's achievements, which include supporting over 2,750 projects aimed at conserving 1,700 species and subspecies globally.

H.H. Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes' Affairs, praised the Fund's global impact. "What the Fund has achieved within just 15 years is impressive," he remarked, highlighting the motivation behind increasing the endowment.

The MBZ Fund's small grants programme is particularly noteworthy for its focus on direct species conservation initiatives. Each project can receive up to $25,000 in funding, targeting species listed as Endangered or Critically Endangered on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. This list monitors the conservation status of 157,100 species across nine categories.

Al Mubarak emphasized the critical state of these vulnerable species, pointing out that habitat loss, pollution, hunting, climate change, and other factors have pushed them to the brink of extinction. The Fund prioritizes these species, offering streamlined support to conservationists working tirelessly on the ground.

Moreover, the MBZ Fund supports conservationists by funding scientific projects deemed crucial by them. It also aids young professionals in the field and increases visibility for their projects and the species they aim to protect.

Mohammed Al Bowardi, Deputy Chair of the Board of Directors of MBZ Fund, highlighted the urgent need for support amidst an alarming rate of species extinction. "Addressing the extinction crisis is not just a moral imperative but an act of self-interest and self-preservation as we all depend on nature for our well-being and continued prosperity," he explained.

Al Bowardi further noted that the MBZ Fund's small grants programme has been a lifeline for conservationists facing challenging and sometimes dangerous conditions. The new contribution from His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan will ensure the endowment's perpetuity, extending its positive impact far into the future.

With inputs from WAM