The late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan, Founding Father of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), is considered one of the world’s greatest conservationists. His foresight and vision long preceded the present-day global conservationists' movement.

“Our hunting trips accustom us to patience and endurance and are a source of satisfaction to us. We regard them as a means of achieving a degree of psychological equilibrium between sedentary urban life and that of the desert.”

“From the beginning, the United Arab Emirates has regarded the protection of the environment as a main aspect of its development policy. The nation has overcome harsh environmental conditions and faced desertification, furthered greenery, developed water resources and improved the marine environment, battled pollution and protected fisheries, wildlife, birds and issued necessary laws.”

“The traditional sport of falconry was passed down to us from our fathers, from a time when we were closer to nature and life was more simple. It is a constant reminder to us of the forces of nature, of the interrelationships between living things and the land they share, and of our own dependence on nature.”

“We spare no effort in caring for the environment because it is one of the essential ingredients of our history and heritage. Our forefathers have lived on this land in co-existence and with respect to its land and marine environment, knowing by nature and perception the need to preserve it, taken only what they needed from it, and saved what would be useful for the coming generations.

Now, we live on this blessed land and we are responsible for preserving our environment and wildlife not only for ourselves but also for our children and grandchildren. It is our obligation to be loyal to both our forefathers and grandchildren.”

"We stress that conservation of the environment is not, and must not be seen as, a matter only for Government or officials. It is something that concerns us all. This is a responsibility for all, every member of our society, both nationals and other residents.”

“Our receipt of the Golden Panda award from the World Wildlife Fund for Nature, which was awarded for the first time to a head of state, is an indicator of what we have achieved in our country through leadership, organizations and individuals in the name of protecting wildlife and the environment.”

“We look to advance the education of our new generations in schools, institutes and universities in environmental issues, not only because they are the leaders of tomorrow but because it is their national duty to support efforts in environmental conservation.”

“We have succeeded with our faith in God and this nation to overcome many environmental and climate difficulties. We have defeated desertification, greened the land, preserved wildlife and issued the laws and regulations needed to protect our environment.”

“Marine environment is a treasured part of our heritage, our present and our future. It also holds an emotional value to us and for this reason we have strived to protect it and its resources.”

“Let National Environment Day be a celebrated day to encourage the children of this nation to continue protecting the environment as their elders and ancestors have done. Letting go of this day would be letting go of a main part of our heritage”

“To us, in the United Arab Emirates, protecting the environment is not just a slogan, but an important part of our history, heritage and way of life. We were and still do support the concept of living in harmony with nature.”

“The Government will always support efforts toward environmental conservation and we urge all relevant organizations to quickly set the necessary plans to achieve their goals and to minimize the negative impacts on the environment so that this generation and the next can enjoy a clean and safe environment in the United Arab Emirates.”

“The experts did not encourage agriculture and said greenery in our land was impossible. We told them, let us try, and with God’s will we succeeded in transforming our desert environment into greenery which encouraged us further.”

“Conserving the environment should not be through a celebratory speech, but should become part of the every-day life of this nation’s sons and daughters who have not saved any active participation in the efforts put forth by Government, in order to preserve the environment for them and their grandchildren.”