Dubai Municipality and the Knowledge Authority launch an initiative to plant 20,000 trees

To celebrate the twentieth anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, assuming the reins of government in Dubai, Dubai Municipality and the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai announced the launch of an initiative to plant 20,000 trees in parks, residential neighborhoods and educational institutions, as a translation of His Highness’s vision that made sustainability an established approach, and environmental work a shared national and societal responsibility.
The initiative aims to create a long-term environmental and societal impact that contributes to enhancing the quality of life and consolidating Dubai’s position as a global leader in sustainable development. It also seeks to support afforestation efforts in the emirate in line with national strategies, and to enhance the participation of government agencies, educational institutions and the local community in joint national action, in addition to establishing a culture of environmental responsibility among individuals and future generations, and enabling the community to participate in building a greener and more sustainable future for the Emirate of Dubai.
The initiative includes a package of field activities and activities for agriculture and afforestation, with the participation of a number of government and private agencies, schools and universities, and with the active contribution of families in residential neighborhoods in the Emirate of Dubai, in a way that enhances the culture of community participation and establishes environmental awareness.
Dubai Municipality has identified a number of parks to carry out agricultural work within the initiative, including Al Barsha South, Al Barsha Lake, Al Nakheel in Al Awir, the Qur’anic Garden in Al Khawaneej, the Al Mizhar District 2 Garden, the Rose Garden in Nad Al Sheba, Al Safa Garden in Jumeirah, Umm Suqeim Park, Al Quoz Lake Park, and Al Warqa 3 Park.
The Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai invites educational institutions wishing to participate in the initiative, by filling out a designated registration form, which allows them to specify the types of plants and quantities that they intend to grow on the campus of the educational institution.
After receiving applications for participation, the Authority will coordinate with the Dubai Municipality team to arrange the delivery of the selected plants to the participating educational institutions, to ensure smooth implementation and achieve the goals of the initiative.
Director General of Dubai Municipality, Eng. Marwan Ahmed bin Ghalita, said: “The initiative to plant 20,000 trees represents a message of loyalty to an exceptional development process led by His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him. It expresses the impact and the inspiring and solid approach that His Highness instilled globally. It also constitutes an inspiring model for transforming national occasions into sustainable projects with a long-term positive impact. Planting is an impact left by every individual and the tree.” It will grow in its impact to remain a sustainable footprint for future generations,” pointing out that the initiative reflects the pivotal role of environmental sustainability as one of the pillars of Dubai’s comprehensive development approach, and an integral part of the vision of building a city that puts people and their quality of life at the top of priorities.

He continued: “Through this initiative, and in cooperation with our partners, we are keen to expand the scope of green spaces in parks, residential neighborhoods and educational institutions, and to enhance community participation in afforestation and environmental protection efforts, which contributes to achieving the goals of the urban environment axis within the Dubai Quality of Life 2033 strategy, and consolidating the emirate’s position as one of the most attractive, beautiful and sustainable cities in the world.”
In turn, Director General of the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai, Aisha Abdullah Miran, said: “The initiative to plant 20,000 trees in public facilities, in cooperation with our partners in Dubai Municipality, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE and Ruler of Dubai, may God protect him, assuming the reins of government in the Emirate of Dubai, reflects the vision of His Highness, which established an authentic Emirati approach to the reconstruction of the land. And keeping it green and fertile, a symbol of life and sustainability, so that agriculture becomes a cultural value and a future vision for Dubai, and sustainability is a pillar in the education process of its children, and a value rooted in the hearts of its people.”
She added: “As we continue year after year to reap the fruits of an inspiring vision of exceptional global leadership during 20 years of rule and wisdom, this initiative embodies a message of gratitude and appreciation for the status of His Highness from our rising generations and members of society. Every seed that we plant today in our educational institutions will bloom for generations to come, to be a witness that the UAE and Dubai, with the vision and thought of His Highness, have created a unique global model in development, innovation, sustainability, and building people for a better world.” We look forward to this initiative contributing to instilling the values of environmental responsibility, cooperation, and belonging in the hearts of our students and our community. We also encourage educational institutions and community members to join us, so that together we turn this national occasion into a living witness to our identity, and a symbol of our present and our civilization, so that future generations in Dubai can reap its benefits.”
The initiative to plant 20,000 trees supports the goals of the “Green Dubai” project, which aims to increase greening and agricultural beautification areas in the emirate, raise the per capita share of green spaces, and provide a healthy environment that enhances the quality of life, in line with the goals of the “Dubai Urban Plan 2040.”

The initiative falls within Dubai Municipality’s ongoing efforts to add green spaces to residential areas, roads, parks and public places, with the aim of improving air quality, mitigating the effects of climate change, developing the emirate’s civilized view and confirming its attractiveness, and imparting an aesthetic visual identity that reflects the unique combination of distinct urban character and green spaces in accordance with the best global sustainable agricultural practices.