Under the theme Many Species. One Planet. One Future, the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) will be marking World Environment Day 2010 through a series of awareness activities. The activities will focus on raising awareness on the incredible diversity of life in the UAE, since 2010 has also been declared International Year of Biodiversity.

H.E Majid Al Mansouri, EAD’s Secretary General, said “On World Environment Day 2010, we would like to remind the public how fragile our biodiversity is and that although biodiversity loss is a global issue, action at the local level is needed.”

Al Mansouri added “We inherited a fascinating, beautiful and healthy world. However, today the race is on to protect what's left of our world's biodiversity. We are in a race that is challenging us in our everyday lives to harmonize between progress, modernity, the fast pace of development and environmental protection.”

EAD is organising a photography exhibition entitled “Abu Dhabi Wildlife Photography Exhibition” in Al Ain Wildlife Park & Resort from June 3-6, 2010. The exhibition includes 100 photographs of marine fauna and flora of the UAE, including endangered species.

The same exhibition will also be organized at Al Ma’moura Building, which includes EAD headquarters and a number of other prominent Abu Dhabi government entities. The exhibition, which will was held from June 13-19, 2010 highlights some of the amazing wildlife that can be found in the diverse habitats of the UAE.

On June 7, a seminar will be organized for EAD employees about biodiversity entitled Global and Local Challenges and Implications. During the seminar, a presentation about the topic will be delivered by Thabit Zahran Al Abdessalaam, Director of Biodiversity Management Sector, EAD.

A documentary about the Arabian Oryx entitled “The Return of the Arabian Oryx” was released by the Agency on this occasion. The documentary tells the inspiring story of the Arabian Oryx and its reintroduction back into the wild.

On June 3, 2010, EAD organised a Paper-Less Day in its offices along with more than 100,000 people and organisations that have already registered on www.paperlessday.ae.