UAE: 25th National Environment Day to unveil Climate Action Now theme

The UAE, a young nation, will celebrate its 25th National Environment Day on Friday (February 4).

Khaleej Times spoke with Nawal Al Ruwaihi, the Head of Education and Awareness at the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment (MOCCAE), to get a sense of how the country is planning to celebrate the momentous occasion as it is all set to host Conference of Parties (COP-28) next year.

Edited excerpts from an exclusive interview with Al Ruwaihi:

How will the MOCCAE mark the 25th National Environment Day on Friday?

This year’s edition of National Environment Day takes place under the theme “Climate Action Now”. The activities will continue for four months — from February 4 to June 5 – that coincides with the National Environment Day to the World Environment Day.

On this important occasion, we renew our commitment to addressing the environmental challenges facing our planet, highlight the ongoing attention our wise leadership pays to environmental work and outline the achievements of the various authorities concerned with protecting the environment. We also use this opportunity to raise public awareness about environmental issues and encourage community participation in tackling them.

How has the National Environment Day evolved through the years?

We have celebrated National Environment Day on February 4 since 1998, coinciding with the date of establishing the Federal Environment Agency, the first integrated government entity concerned with environmental affairs at a nationwide level. The entity was abolished in 2009 and transferred its mandates to MOCCAE.

Each year was dedicated to a different theme until 2011, when the celebrations took on the form of three-year cycles centred around one theme. In 2020, the event reverted to adopting a new theme every year. The themes have spanned a wide range of topics related to the environment, climate and sustainability – from “Clean Air for a Better Environment’ to ‘Vibrant Desert”.

Where does the UAE’s commitment to environmental protection stem from?

Environmental sustainability is at the core of our culture and tradition, entrenched by our ancestors, who devised means to live in harmony with nature.

The founding father of the UAE, the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, known as “The Man of the Environment”, once said: “We cherish our environment because it is an integral part of our country, our history, and our heritage. On land and in the sea, our forefathers lived and survived in this environment. They were able to do so only because they recognised the need to conserve it, to take from it only what they needed to live, and to preserve it for succeeding generations.”

joydeep@khaleejtimes.com