The EU Ambassador to the UAE, HE Andrea Matteo Fontana, and a delegation of Ambassadors and representatives from 16 EU member states visited Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi on Monday, March 27, to take a stand against climate change by planting mangroves and raising awareness about the importance of these ecosystems.
The visit was organised by the EU Delegation to the UAE to highlight the crucial role of mangroves as a nature-based solution for mitigating climate change and support the UAE’s ambitious initiative to plant 100 million mangroves by 2030 as well as contribute to the efforts of the UAE led Mangrove Alliance for Climate. The visit also saw the participation of youth from the Arab Youth Center and the UAE Youth Climate Delegates.
The delegation was welcomed by HE Ahmed Al Hashmi, Executive Director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, Dr. Das Himansu, and Huda Al Mazrouei. The delegation was also joined by representatives from Jubail Island, including Eng. Abdullah Al Shamsi, Corporate Director, and Mohamed Hafez, Adventure Director.
During the visit, the delegation was given a guided tour of Jubail Mangrove Park, where they learned more about the important role of mangroves in mitigating climate change. They also had the opportunity to plant several mangrove trees alongside youth participants.
“Mangroves have a carbon-storing superpower,” said HE Andrea Matteo Fontana. “They absorb up to 10 times more carbon than a tropical rainforest. Mangroves are vital for our planet, and we are proud to support the UAE’s efforts to protect and restore these crucial ecosystems.”
The EU is committed to working with global partners to find sustainable solutions to climate change. The European Green Deal sets ambitious targets to make Europe climate neutral by 2050, while the EU’s biodiversity strategy for 2030 aims to protect nature and reverse the degradation of ecosystems. The EU has also committed to planting at least 3 billion additional trees in the EU by 2030, in full respect of ecological principles.
As the COP28 approaches, the EU is determined to work with the Emirati COP Presidency, the Youth Climate Champion, and global partners to find sustainable solutions to climate change. “Working together with international partners and youth is essential if we are to emerge from this climate crisis stronger,” continued HE Andrea Matteo Fontana.
The visit to Jubail Mangrove Park highlights the importance of collective efforts in protecting and restoring mangrove ecosystems to mitigate climate change and achieve a sustainable future.
Ambassadors and representatives from EU member states included, HE Etienne Berchtold, Ambassador of the Republic of Austria, HE Jaan Reinhold, Ambassador of Estonia, HE Nicolas Niemtchinow, Ambassador of France, HE Osama Ibrahim Naffa, Ambassador of Hungary, HE Alison Milton, Ambassador of Ireland, HE Lorenzo Fanara, Ambassador of Italy, HE Atis Sjantis, Ambassador of Latvia, HE Robert Lauer, Ambassador of Luxembourg, HE Maria Camilleri Calleja, Ambassador of the Republic of Malta, HE Jakub Slawek, Ambassador of the Republic of Poland, HE Bogdan Octavian Badica, Ambassador of Romania, HE Natalia Al Mansour, Ambassador of the Republic of Slovenia, HE Liselott Andersson, Ambassador of Sweden, Mr. Douwe Buzeman, Deputy Head of Mission, Embassy of Netherlands, Ms Katja Decker, Head of Press and Economic Affairs, Embassy of Germany, and Mr. Michal Florus, Commercial Counsellor, Embassy of the Czech Republic.
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Jubail Mangrove Park Rules
This park has access to open water bodies and there are no lifeguards on duty.
The Park is monitored by CCTV 24 hours a day.
Swimming or diving into the water is not permitted.
No pets allowed.
No Littering.
No smoking allowed.
No food or beverages allowed on the boardwalk.
Please do not lean or climb over the railing.
Toys, Skating, the use of scooters and/or bicycles are not permitted in the park.
Respectful clothing must be considered.
All parcels and bags are subject to a security check.
Items displayed, plants, wildlife must not be touched and/or removed.
Please do not sit or place children on the railing.
Children under the age of 18 must be accompanied by an adult at all times during the visit.
Park representatives reserve the right to remove any persons contravening the above or due to unruly or inappropriate behaviour.
Disclaimer: Guests and their visitors or employees enter and use these premises at their own risk. Neither the Owners nor their Representatives or Agents are liable for loss or damage to any guest, visitor, employee or any person’s property, nor for injury or death of any guest, visitor, employee or any person whether such loss or damage to property or injury or death is as a result of the negligence of the Owners and or their Representatives or Agents or not.
For myself and for my heirs, personal representatives and assigns, I hereby:
I agree to assume responsibility for the risk of the activity, whether identified or not. My participation in the activity is purely voluntary. I assume full responsibility for myself for any bodily injury, accident, illness, paralysis, death, loss or damage to personal property and expenses thereof as a result of my participation in the activity.
I confirm and warrant that: I have no medical condition (physical or mental) which would/could impact on my ability to participate in the activities provided; [For female participants] I am not pregnant; I am physically able to participate in the activities provided; I am not taking any herbal or medicinal supplements or prescription drugs that could impact on my ability to participate in activities provided.
I release the organizer, their principals, directors, officers, agents, employees and volunteers, and their insurers, from any and all claims of whatever kind, and from any and all liability for any and all injury or damage (including death) as a result of my participation in the activity.
I agree and consent to the receipt of medical treatment in a medical emergency situation where I may not be capable to consent to such treatment.
The undersigned understands that this agreement does not include participant insurance. The undersigned acknowledges that they either have appropriate insurance or, in its absence, agree to pay all cost of rescue and/or medical services as may be incurred on their behalf.
The undersigned agrees to pay for any or all damages to any equipment or property caused by the undersigned either negligently, willfully, or otherwise
I consent to the use of my and/or any of my dependent’s images for any and all such purposes, including without limitation video, still photographs, publication, and any trade or advertising purposes.
I understand that this release refers to all claim types, including breach of contract, fraud, or any other type of suit and includes losses alleged to be caused by the negligence of the organizer to the fullest extent permitted by law with the exception of Gross Negligence
