ABU DHABI, 29th August, 2023 (WAM) — The Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD) will have a stand that reflects the journey of fusing science and nature to address climate change at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX). The exhibition is taking place from 2nd to 8th September at Abu Dhabi National Exhibition Centre (ADNEC).
The Agency will once again be a main sponsor of the event and EAD’s stand at ADIHEX is designed to unveil how the Agency is aligned with the Year of Sustainability as announced by President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, at the beginning of the year, as EAD shares the same vision of ensuring that sustainability is at the core of what it does.
The stand is designed to be both informative and interactive, inviting visitors to explore its initiatives in addressing climate change and promoting sustainable technology.
One of the stand’s most prominent features is the immersive Virtual Reality (VR) welcome booth. Visitors can wear VR headsets to experience a powerful climate impact video, highlighting the agency's efforts to mitigate climate change. The experience culminates in a breathtaking underwater encounter, where visitors virtually swim with dolphins along the Abu Dhabi's pristine coastline.
Ahmed Baharoon, Executive Director of Environment Information, Science Outreach Management Sector at EAD, said, “The year 2023 is significant for the entire UAE as it is both the Year of Sustainability and also the year where the UAE is hosting the world’s largest climate forum – COP28. Therefore we have aligned ourselves with the vision of the UAE’s leadership and will be focusing on climate change at our stand during the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition as part of our public-facing activations.”
He added, “ADIHEX is a flagship event in Abu Dhabi and every year we are delighted to return as main sponsors because of its importance as a landmark cultural and heritage event. This year we have a very interactive and dynamic stand with several engaging activities for the general public that educates them on conserving the environment at the same time.”
At the stand visitors can view a large LED infotainment board showcasing the Agency's achievements and initiatives over the past 12 months. Engaging visuals, statistics, and key accomplishments will be dynamically displayed, offering visitors an overview of EAD's impactful work in climate change mitigation and sustainable technology.
With an extra focus on engaging youth, the stand’s classroom-style setup hosts interactive sessions, workshops, and youth-led activities related to climate change and sustainability. For the first ever time, a dedicated podcast corner will encourage young visitors to share their insights and ideas on environmental conservation.
Providing a glimpse into EAD’s future plans, a large graphic wall and screen provides information about EAD's upcoming technology initiatives. Visitors can explore innovative projects that the Agency is working on, creating a sense of anticipation for its future contributions to sustainable technology.
A touch-screen display will encourage interaction between visitors and the agency's online environmental awareness initiatives such as Baadr and Sahim apps. These apps showcase the importance of citizen involvement in environmental conservation efforts and visitors can explore how these apps empower individuals to contribute to a greener future, while demonstrating the potential of community involvement in combatting climate change.
The Agency will also be presenting its e-learning platform: e-Green. It highlights the diverse range of educational courses available for citizens and the B2B sector and visitors can learn about environmental best practices, sustainability, and the ways they can contribute to EAD's mission of preserving Abu Dhabi’s environment.
There will also be a 3D model of the Plants Genetic Resource Centre in Al Ain, also known as the Gene Bank, which will be the centrepiece of the stand.