Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, Al Ain Zoo sign MoU

Al Ain / Emirates Business

The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and the Al Ain Zoo and Aquarium Public Institution agreed to join forces when it comes to spreading environmental awareness. The agreement came in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed on Monday between Eng. Aisha Al Abdooli, Director of Environmental Awareness and Education Department from the Ministry of Climate Change and Environment and Muna Al Dhaheri, Chief Operating Officer from the institution.
Also attending the signing ceremony were His Excellency, Dr. Thani Al Zeyoudi, Minister of Climate Change and Environment and Ghanim Al Hajeri, the Director General of Al Ain Zoo along with other officials from both entities.
The MoU stipulated three main areas of collaboration: carrying out awareness campaigns and environmental initiatives, exchanging data and expertise between the two establishments to encourage positive environmental behavior and exchanging technical information and expertise in the field of laboratory analyses and veterinarian tests.
Eng. Al Abdooli said: “The Ministry of Climate Change and Environment believes that raising awareness about preserving the environment and protecting the country’s biodiversity is the responsibility of all individuals and establishments in the UAE. We are keen on collaborating with entities such as the Al Ain Zoo as we work towards building a sustainable future. This is why we consider this agreement both strategic and essential.”
Speaking about the agreement Al Dhaheri said: “We are pleased to collaborate with the Ministry when it comes to raising awareness about the importance of protecting the environment and promoting relevant positive behavior. The agreement is in line with the values of our organization as we aim to establish ourselves as one of the leading national entities that support environmental sustainability. Through this agreement, we hope to succeed in raising awareness amongst individuals and organizations in the emirate of Abu Dhabi and in the UAE.”
Earlier this year, the ministry launched the “Sustainability…. A Lifestyle” initiative which is part of the national awareness and educational strategy and is considered the framework of national environmental awareness programs. The initiative which will continue till 2020 aims at educating the local UAE society and the business and industrial sectors in terms of adopting positive environmentally-friendly practices. These include improving consumption behaviors that lead to preserving resources and mitigating the negative effects of human behavior on the environment.
The Al Ain Zoo is a main tourist attraction in the UAE and offers a unique and complete touristic experience which is in line with the Abu Dhabi 2020 strategy. Its vision is to be a global tourist destination with an Emirati flavour.