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Announced in alignment with International Marine Mammal Protection Day, the partnership will strengthen scientific research, data-driven conservation, and collaboration across biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate resilience
Abu Dhabi, UAE, 18 February 2026: Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi (SUAD), the French-Emirati university recognised for academic excellence and interdisciplinary research, has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Emirates Nature-WWF, the environmental charity driving science-based nature and climate action across the UAE, to advance collaboration in biodiversity research, environmental sustainability, climate resilience and the responsible application of emerging technologies.
The five-year agreement, running until 2030, creates a long-term platform for collaborative research, applied innovation, and knowledge and talent exchange to accelerate impact in biodiversity conservation and climate resilience.
The partnership will prioritise advancing scientific research on biodiversity and ecosystem resilience, including the development and application on the ground of artificial intelligence, robotics, and emerging digital technologies to enhance environmental monitoring, data analysis, and decision-making for conservation and sustainability. It will also jointly mobilise expertise to deliver high-impact environmental outcomes. It will enable structured collaboration between researchers, practitioners and students - including joint studies, field-based learning, data integration and policy-relevant insights at both national and international levels.
The collaboration is announced in alignment with International Marine Mammal Protection Day on 19 February, underscoring the shared commitment of both institutions to advancing science-driven conservation that safeguards marine and terrestrial ecosystems while strengthening climate resilience.
Through this collaboration, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi will further strengthen the integration of environmental research, sustainability, and community engagement across its academic and student-led initiatives. In February 2026, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi's environmental research excellence was recognised with first place in the Research Institute category at the 2nd Sheikh Hamdan bin Zayed Environmental Award, presented during a ceremony at Al Nakheel Palace in Abu Dhabi.
Reflecting its broader commitment to sustainability and environmental awareness, Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi recently hosted a sustainability event during which the Animal Welfare Club led a thought-provoking session titled 'Silent Depths,' presented by Club President Mansoor Banasser. The discussion explored the cultural and sociological impact of the marine environments on Abu Dhabi and the UAE's cultural identity, highlighting the deep connection between marine ecosystems, heritage, and community life. Complementing these initiatives, the University continues to advance marine and environmental science research that deepens understanding of ecosystem dynamics in the UAE and the wider region, including approaches such as environmental DNA (e-DNA), mangrove ecosystem studies, and marine soundscape analysis. By combining community engagement with scientific research, the University supports informed conservation and sustainable environmental management.
Professor Nathalie Martial-Braz, Chancellor of Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, said: 'At Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi, we believe universities play a vital role in advancing science-led solutions to environmental challenges. This collaboration with Emirates Nature–WWF reflects our commitment to rigorous research, interdisciplinary knowledge, and partnerships that contribute to the protection of biodiversity, ecosystems, and climate resilience. By connecting academic expertise with long-term conservation science, we aim to support meaningful, evidence-based action for future generations.'
Emirates Nature-WWF, the UAE-based environmental charity that works in association with the global conservation network WWF, brings to the partnership more than 25 years of science-led conservation experience in the region. The organisation has played a pivotal role in advancing biodiversity conservation, marine and terrestrial ecosystem protection, and climate resilience in the UAE through long-term research, data collection, policy engagement, and community and youth mobilization programmes.
Laila Mostafa Abdullatif, Director General of Emirates Nature-WWF said: 'At Emirates Nature-WWF, we drive lasting impact for people and planet by employing a science-based approach. Collaborations such as this enable the integration of academic research, artificial intelligence, innovative scientific methods, and practical conservation expertise to deliver measurable outcomes for biodiversity and climate resilience. By bringing together researchers, students, and conservation experts, we are building a stronger ecosystem of knowledge and capability that supports evidence-based solutions for the UAE and the wider region'.
By combining academic expertise, student-led initiatives, and long-standing scientific research, the partnership aims to strengthen environmental knowledge, support applied research, and contribute to sustainable solutions that protect biodiversity and ecosystems in the UAE and beyond.
More than a formal agreement, this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to science-led action - positioning Sorbonne University Abu Dhabi as a hub for interdisciplinary environmental research, and reinforcing Emirates Nature-WWF's role as a convener of diverse stakeholders – from government, business, civil society and academia – and a catalyst of collective action. Together, the two institutions aim to accelerate evidence-based solutions that safeguard nature and strengthen climate resilience for future generations.
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