Abu Dhabi, UAE- The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) is taking part in the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) 2026, held at ADNEC from 28 August to 6 September, bringing together the science shaping the future of environmental conservation and the deep-rooted falconry heritage at the heart of the UAE’s identity.
Held under the theme “A Legacy of Pride,” ADIHEX 2026 honours the heritage and traditions passed down through generations while embracing the innovation shaping their future. As a strategic partner, EAD brings that vision to life under its own theme “Leveraging Technology to Protect the Environment,” demonstrating how science, artificial intelligence and digital technologies are applied to conserve biodiversity and safeguard the natural heritage of the emirate of Abu Dhabi.
Her Excellency Dr Shaikha Salem Al Dhaheri, Secretary General of EAD, said: “Long before conservation became a science, the people of the UAE understood the value of nature. The falcon, the desert and the knowledge passed down through generations shaped an identity rooted in respect for the land and its wildlife. ADIHEX is where that heritage brings us together, and where both dimensions of EAD’s mission come together in full, protecting Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity and safeguarding the natural heritage from which our identity is drawn.”
At the heart of the participation is EAD’s Plant Genetic Resources Centre (Gene Bank), which preserves the genetic diversity of native plants for future generations. Around it, visitors discover how advanced technologies and fieldwork come together to restore habitats, support compliance with regulations that protect wildlife, and monitor Abu Dhabi’s terrestrial ecosystems. As part of its efforts to engage the community in environmental conservation, the Agency also offers seedlings of native plant species, including Samar, Sidr and Ghaf, so visitors can take home, plant and nurture a living symbol of Abu Dhabi’s natural heritage.
Complementing its focus on the future of conservation through science and technology, EAD will also highlight its longstanding commitment to safeguarding the UAE’s falconry heritage through the Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital. Established in 1999, the hospital is a leading institution of avian medicine and research, treating and assessing more than 11,000 falcons each year. Its presence at ADIHEX will showcase its veterinary services for falcons and pets, alongside its tourism programme, which offers visitors a close look at the world of falcons and the history of falconry.
Ahmed Abdulmuttaleb Baharoon, Executive Director of Environmental Information, Science and Outreach Management at EAD, said: “ADIHEX gives us an important opportunity to make the science behind environmental conservation accessible and engaging for the community. Through interactive experiences, visitors discover how we apply technology across our areas of work, from analysing and preserving native seeds to restoring habitats and monitoring ecosystems. By engaging younger generations in particular, we hope to deepen their understanding of Abu Dhabi’s biodiversity, and the science protecting it.”
EAD’s participation at ADIHEX reflects its continued commitment to enhancing public understanding of Abu Dhabi’s environment and highlighting the role of science, innovation and technology in protecting it. At the plant conservation stand, whose design draws on the form of a native seed pod, four interactive zones bring this science to life. The Robotic Seed Sorting Lab uses high-resolution imaging and artificial intelligence to identify, assess and classify seeds. At the Drone Project, visitors simulate flying a drone to scatter native seeds across a digital landscape. The Hunting and Grazing Laws zone shows how digital tools raise awareness of the regulations protecting wildlife and habitats. The Terrestrial Environment Protection Programme zone reveals how EAD monitors and maps Abu Dhabi’s terrestrial ecosystems. Together, these interactive experiences reflect the theme of the exhibition by preserving a valued tradition while applying modern expertise to secure its future.
Visitors can find EAD across two stands at ADNEC, its plant conservation stand in the Atrium, Plot A101, and its Abu Dhabi Falcon Hospital at Plot 13-375, from 28 August to 6 September 2026, daily from 10 am to 10 pm.
SOURCE: MEDIA RELEASE / SUPPLIED CONTENT WITH IMAGES
