Joint Mangrove Planting Marks 48th Anniversary of PH and UAE Diplomatic Ties
Philippine Ambassador to the UAE Hjayceelyn M. Quintana (fourth from left), waving the UAE flag as Environment Agency Abu Dhabi Secretary General Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri (second from right) waves the Philippine flag alongside the jubilant 48 Filipino residents from the UAE's 7 emirates who joined them in planting mangrove trees at the Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi to commemorate the 48th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and the UAE in 2022. (Abu Dhabi PCG photo)
ABU DHABI, 13 October 2022 – Philippine Ambassador to the United Arab Emirates Hjayceelyn M. Quintana and Environment Agency Abu Dhabi (EAD) Secretary General Dr. Shaikha Al Dhaheri marked 48 years of Philippines-UAE bilateral relations by leading 48 members of the Filipino community from the UAE's seven emirates (Abu Dhabi, Dubai, Sharjah, Ajman, Umm Al Quwain, Ras Al Khaimah and Fujairah) in planting mangroves at the Jubail Mangrove Park in Abu Dhabi on 12 October 2022.
The joint activity highlights the desire of both countries to preserve the environment and to call attention to the urgency of mitigating the harmful effects of climate change as the UAE prepares to host COP28 in 2023. The Philippines is simultaneously one of the world's richest biodiversity hotspots, home to a massive concentration of unique plant and animal species, and also one of the countries most vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
According to Ambassador Quintana, "Filipinos have been an integral part of the UAE's history and journey to modernity and prosperity for the last 48 years. In planting these mangroves, we are sowing the seeds that will secure for the next generation of Filipinos and Emiratis a bright, prosperous, and environment-friendly future!"
EAD Secretary General Dr. Al Dhaheri thanked the Filipino community for standing in solidarity with UAE's initiative to plant 100 million mangrove trees by 2030 and affirmed the joint commitment by the Philippines and the UAE to preserve the environment for the next generation.
The Philippine Embassy in Abu Dhabi and Consulate General in Dubai were joined at the planting ceremony by Filipino community organizations such as the Order of the Knights of Rizal-Abu Dhabi (OKOR-Abu Dhabi), the Filipino Social Club (FilSOC), and the United Filipinos of the 21st Century, as well as the Philippines Partnership Circle (PhilPAC) and the Islamic Affairs and Charitable Department of the Government of Dubai. END
Left photo: Ambassador Quintana (far left) and EAD Secretary General Dr. Al Dhaheri (far right) plant their respective mangrove trees at the Jubail Mangrove Park. (Right photo) Amb. Quintana (center) and the Filipino community members (background) welcomed by EAD Secretary General Dr. Al Dhaheri (far right) and EAD Executive Director Mohamed Al Hashemi (far left) at the Jubail Mangrove Park, as they proceed to the planting location within the park. SG Al Dhaheri underscored the important role Filipinos play in UAE society and remarked on the joyous and celebratory atmosphere Filipinos have brought to the Mangrove Park at this planting ceremony. (Abu Dhabi PCG photos)
For more information, visit https://www.abudhabipe.dfa.gov.ph, https://www.facebook.com/PHinUAE/, https://twitter.com/PHinUAE, or https://www.instagram.com/phinuae/.