United Arab Emirates

Plan Maritime 2030: Abu Dhabi Coastal and Marine Framework Plan

The maritime area of Abu Dhabi is approximately 48,250 km2—38,500 km2 of marine waters and 9,700 km2 of coastal land. The United Arab Emirates holds the seventh largest proven oil reserves in the world; over 60% of the surface of the maritime area of Abu Dhabi is occupied by oil and gas activities. The Arabian Gulf hosts the world’s second largest population of dugongs, thought to number at least 5,000. The rich and extensive sea grass beds in the waters of the United Arab Emirates form habitat that has been identified as the most important for dugongs in the Arabian Gulf and probably includes the majority of the population. When approved and implemented in 2017, Plan Maritime 2030: Abu Dhabi Coastal and Marine Framework Plan (the Plan) will provide strategic guidance and direction for the future development of Abu Dhabi’s coastal and marine area.

The Urban Planning Council (UPC) led the preparation of the Plan by working closely with the Office of the Deputy Supreme Commander of the UAE Armed Forces (ODSC) and the Environment Agency—Abu Dhabi (EAD) to implement a key initiative of the Maritime Strategy 2009, a high-level strategy to ensure the protection and enhancement of the Emirate’s maritime domain for the diverse uses and activities occurring within it. The Plan was prepared to implement the first goal of the Maritime Strategy that recommended the preparation of a framework plan to fulfill the requirement for ‘sustainable use and development of the maritime domain’.

Begun in 2013, development of the Plan closely followed the step-by-step approach outlined in the IOC’s guide to MSP. Extensive stakeholder engagement as an important aspects of the overall MSP process. A draft of the Plan was completed in May 2016. The Plan Maritime 2030: Abu Dhabi Coastal and Marine Framework Plan and its Implementation Plan are tentatively scheduled to be released publically in April 2017.

Updates will be posted on this website as MSP activities in the United Arab Emirates develop.

Last updated: August 2018
We use cookies to improve your experience on our website. By browsing this website, you agree to our use of cookies.
Start typing to see posts you are looking for.
  • * indicates required




    MSPglobal will use the information you provide on this form to be in touch with you and to provide updates and marketing.

    Please let us know all the ways you would like to hear from us:


    You can unsubscribe at any time by clicking the link in the footer of any email you receive from us or by contacting us at MSPglobal.comm@unesco.org.

    We will treat your information with respect. For more information about our privacy practices, please visit our website.

    We use Mailchimp as our marketing platform. By clicking below to subscribe, you acknowledge that your information will be transferred to Mailchimp for processing. Learn more about Mailchimp’s privacy practices here.