His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Chairman of the Presidential Court for Development and Fallen Heroes’ Affairs and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation (IFHC), witnessed the signing of a new Memorandum of Understanding between IFHC and the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi (DCT Abu Dhabi).
The agreement was signed at the Sheikh Zayed Houbara Conservation Programme pavilion during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX), which runs until 6 September 2026. It sets out a framework for cooperation in natural heritage conservation, scientific knowledge, biodiversity education, and public awareness.
Linking conservation with culture and education
Mohamed Almotawa AlDhaheri, Acting Director General of IFHC, signed the MoU for the organisation, while His Excellency Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani, Undersecretary of DCT Abu Dhabi, signed on behalf of DCT Abu Dhabi.
The partnership will focus on using museums, cultural programmes, and educational initiatives to bring greater attention to the UAE’s natural heritage. Among the planned areas of cooperation are public awareness campaigns, educational programmes, knowledge and expertise exchange, and community activities connected to biodiversity conservation.
The houbara will be of particular importance in these efforts. The bird holds both environmental and cultural significance in the UAE and has been closely associated with the country’s conservation work.
The Sheikh Zayed Houbara Conservation Programme pavilion at ADIHEX showcases nearly five decades of conservation achievements through the strategic partnership between IFHC and Ekthar, providing a platform for the agreement to connect scientific conservation with wider public engagement.
Building on Sheikh Zayed’s conservation legacy
The agreement also reflects the UAE’s long-standing approach to linking environmental protection with education and cultural awareness. The partnership draws inspiration from the legacy of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, whose approach to wildlife and environmental protection was integral to the country’s broader development vision.
Mohamed Almotawa AlDhaheri said the agreement would allow IFHC to expand its work with national cultural institutions and make greater use of its scientific expertise in public education. He also highlighted its potential to introduce younger generations to biodiversity conservation and the importance of protecting natural heritage.
According to AlDhaheri, the partnership will create opportunities to bring scientific knowledge into museum experiences and educational programmes, giving audiences new ways to engage with environmental issues.
For DCT Abu Dhabi, the agreement places natural heritage within a wider cultural framework. Saood Abdulaziz Al Hosani said:
“Our natural heritage is an integral pillar of our national identity and cultural memory. Safeguarding it is a responsibility that goes beyond protecting our environmental resources; it also requires deepening our knowledge of them and strengthening future generations’ connection to the land we call home. Through this strategic partnership with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, we are further integrating culture, science, and education, while leveraging Abu Dhabi’s museums and cultural platforms as spaces for learning. These platforms will help bring our natural heritage to life for our communities, promoting greater awareness of biodiversity and our shared responsibility to protect it.
“In this collaboration, we draw inspiration from the enduring vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the UAE, who made environmental and wildlife protection an integral part of the nation-building project. Today, we are building on this legacy by bringing scientific expertise together with cultural and educational capabilities, creating new opportunities to share knowledge, engage communities, and ensure that the UAE’s commitment to natural heritage continues to grow across generations.”
The collaboration ultimately brings two areas of public engagement closer together: environmental conservation and cultural programming. Through museums, educational initiatives, and community activities, IFHC and DCT Abu Dhabi aim to broaden understanding of the UAE’s biodiversity while keeping its natural heritage connected to the country’s cultural memory.
