Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed witnesses the official opening ceremony of the Natural History Museum in Abu Dhabi

Today, His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi and Chairman of the Executive Council of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, witnessed the official opening ceremony of the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum in the Cultural District of Saadiyat Island, which extends over an area of ​​more than 35,000 square metres, and is considered the largest museum of its kind in the Middle East, with a focus on showcasing the heritage and natural history of the Arab region.
The opening of the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum enhances the position of the United Arab Emirates on the map of global culture and scientific research, by providing the opportunity for visitors and researchers to live a journey that extends through 13.8 billion years of the history of the Earth, the universe, and life, through exhibitions, interactive experiences, and pioneering scientific research that combines history, knowledge, and discovery in one place.
The museum includes rare collections of giant meteorites and fossils, and re-imagined scenes of the natural world in Abu Dhabi, in addition to interactive exhibitions and educational programs that introduce visitors to the history of the universe and biodiversity. The museum also hosts a specialized research center concerned with paleontology, biology, and the environment, as a contribution to expanding the circle of knowledge and culture, and in support of international efforts aimed at protecting nature and sustaining it for future generations.
His Highness Sheikh Khalid bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan stressed that the opening of the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum represents a qualitative addition to the cultural scene in the United Arab Emirates and the Emirate of Abu Dhabi, by providing an innovative scientific platform that enhances knowledge, opens broader horizons for research and discovery, and contributes to enabling community members to understand the history of planet Earth and its vital stages through interactive exhibits and advanced educational content.
His Highness noted the importance of this scientific and cultural edifice, which embodies the ambitious visions adopted by Abu Dhabi to consolidate its position as a leading global center in the establishment of museums and historical and artistic exhibitions, and supports research and innovation efforts in the fields of natural sciences, in a way that enhances the presence of scientific knowledge within the integrated cultural system at the level of the Emirate of Abu Dhabi.
On this occasion, Mohammed Khalifa Al Mubarak, Chairman of the Department of Culture and Tourism – Abu Dhabi, said: “The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum constitutes a pivotal pillar in the Saadiyat Cultural District, and a new impetus for our journey in establishing an integrated cultural scene that reflects the emirate’s ambition and leadership. Amidst this unique gathering of cultural, scientific and artistic institutions, Abu Dhabi today offers an integrated system that enhances scientific research, advances education, and contributes effectively to global knowledge.”
He added: “In a time when the transformations of our planet are accelerating, our responsibility doubles in monitoring, documenting and understanding what is happening around us. This museum is not only a place for exhibition, but a space that inspires generations to think deeper about the future of the Earth, to contribute to shaping a global human legacy, in continuation of the UAE’s pioneering role in multidisciplinary scientific research and innovative education.”

The opening ceremony was attended by His Highness Sheikh Theyab bin Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Head of the Presidential Office for Development Affairs and Families of Martyrs; Her Highness Sheikha Latifa bint Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Chairwoman of the Dubai Culture and Arts Authority (Dubai Culture), and Sheikh Khalifa bin Tahnoon bin Mohammed Al Nahyan, Chief of the Court of the Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi; Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan bin Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, along with a number of ministers and senior officials.
The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum includes a group of the most prominent scientific discoveries in the world of paleontology, including a complete herd of sauropods, giant dinosaurs with long necks, in five different types that are displayed for the first time in the world, in addition to one of the most complete Tyrannosaurus rex skeletons ever discovered, and a three-horned dinosaur, Triceratops.
The museum also presents a time journey extending back seven million years that reveals the features of the ancient natural environment of Abu Dhabi, when its land was green plains similar to savannah in which various creatures lived, including the giant elephant with four tusks.
The museum also displays interactive scientific samples and exhibits that tell the stories of the Earth, the universe, and life, as part of an educational and research experience that enhances scientific understanding and inspires the new generation to explore nature and strive to preserve it, to enhance its sustainability and contribute to protecting its resources.
Through its exhibits, the museum embodies the leadership of the United Arab Emirates in the fields of education and scientific research. It gives visitors the opportunity to contemplate specimens and exhibitions that tell nature’s greatest story.
The museum places education and scientific research among its priorities, seeking to deepen scientific understanding through a narrative that embodies the region’s past, present and future, in a way that supports research and inspires the future generation to continue exploring the worlds of planet Earth and protecting its natural treasures.
Based on its humanitarian and scientific vision and mission, the Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum devotes its efforts to promoting environmental awareness and consolidating concepts of sustainability, believing that protecting the planet begins with knowledge. It provides a space for thinking, learning, and scientific research in biological diversity, and opens its doors to everyone who seeks to understand man’s relationship with nature and his responsibility towards it.
The museum provides specialized educational and knowledge spaces, through which its organizers seek to empower students, researchers, and young people to become future scientists and protectors of biodiversity, through interactive educational programs, workshops, and community initiatives that transform the passion for exploring nature into scientific knowledge based on facts and evidence.
The museum will open its doors to the public starting November 22, 2025, as it offers a distinct educational and cognitive experience that enriches visitors of all ages, and takes them on an interactive journey through time to discover the history of the universe and the development of life on Earth.
The Abu Dhabi Natural History Museum joins a group of international cultural landmarks in the Saadiyat Cultural District, which includes the Louvre Abu Dhabi, the teamLab Phenomena Abu Dhabi digital arts museum, in addition to the Zayed National Museum and the Guggenheim Abu Dhabi, which are expected to open soon.