During the second ministerial meeting of the alliance, held at COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, launched the MAC (Mangrove Alliance for Climate) Strategy 2031.
The session was co-chaired by Nani Hendiarti, Indonesia's Deputy Minister for Environment and Forestry Management, in collaboration with Dr. Al Dahak. Minsters from countries which are partners of the Mangrove Alliance met during the forum and discussed the Strategy 2031 and possible following action that should strengthen the efforts of mangrove restoration worldwide. The objective was to promote collaborative efforts to protect and expand mangrove ecosystems all over the world.
Dr. Al Dahak, in the opening remarks, shared the commitment of the UAE toward mangrove conservation, signifying the state's significant contributions to preserving and growing its mangrove forests. She emphasized the key role mangrove ecosystems play in fighting climate change and adaptation while underpinning marine and coastal biodiversity. She said, “Mangroves act as a natural carbon sink, capturing four times more carbon than rainforests. They provide natural flood protection, prevent erosion, help limit sea level rise. In the UAE, we recognise the critical role mangrove forests play in helping us to achieve our nation’s Net Zero by 2050 Strategy. At COP26 in 2021, we stepped up our ambition to expand the UAE’s mangrove cover and pledged to restore 100 million mangroves by 2030.”
She underscored the importance of collaboration referencing the success of the Mangrove Alliance for Climate (MAC) and the closely coordinated efforts by its members, she thanked Indonesia for their unwavering support for mangroves conservation worldwide and also welcomed the work of other members in contributing to their ecosystems.
Unveiling the MAC Strategy 2031, Dr. Al Dahak said, “Our collective efforts to boost mangroves worldwide are embodied in the MAC 2031 Strategy, which offers a blueprint to enable mangrove ecosystems to thrive on a global scale. This Strategy raises MAC’s ambitions in mangrove conservation and will drive clear, coordinated action.”
Her speech was followed by a keynote address by Nani Hendiarti and a presentation by the Mangrove Breakthrough. The meeting concluded with interventions by the member states and closing remarks by Dr. Amna Al Dahak and Nani Hendiarti.
MAC members pledge to rehabilitate and restore mangroves within their countries while also supporting similar efforts internationally. By doing so, the alliance aims to leverage and bolster the ongoing commitments of member countries across various areas, including scientific research, coastal management and conservation, education, climate mitigation, climate adaptation, and relevant policymaking.
Prior to the ministerial meeting, technical committees representing all 45 MAC members convened at COP16 in Cali, Colombia, to review and finalise the proposed MAC Strategy 2031 for ministerial deliberation. This Strategy offers a roadmap to support member states in adhering to their mangrove conservation commitments and promoting sustainable climate action through nature-based solutions.
