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January 2008
IUCN/SSC Leaders meeting Al Ain
The inaugural meeting of the IUCN Species Survival Committee (SSC) Specialist Group Chairs was a game-changer for the establishment of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. Since 1948, the SSC has brought together top conservation experts from around the globe to brainstorm strategies for protecting endangered species. This meeting really highlighted the urgent need for species conservation and support, and the rest is history.
October 2008
Launch of the MBZ Fund, IUCN Conservation Congress, Barcelona
Thanks to the generous support of His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, our dream became a reality. His €25 million contribution helped kickstart an endowment for species conservation, inspired by the SSC Leaders Meeting. A special thanks to Deputy Chairman Mohammed Al Bowardi for also playing a key role.
February 2009
The start of something beautiful
It started in a small office in Abu Dhabi and if you happened to visit, you’d meet Nicolas Heard and Salima Raai, the Fund's very first full-time employees. They were pioneers at the heart of a global conservation movement and on a mission to build what is now a well-known name in both UAE and global conservation.
March 2009
First applications come flooding in
We worked hard to get the word out about our support for grassroots conservationists. Before social media took off, we had to work every angle, relying on direct outreach and established contacts to spread the message. The SSC Chairs were a vital conduit to get the message out.
April 2009
Capturing grant applications
Managing the first grant applications was by no means a simple task. Applications came in word files and information had to be manually typed out and entered into the system before usernames and passwords could be created. It was a lot of work, but it was such an important step in building the Fund from the ground up.
June 2009
First review meeting
Our conservation journey officially kicked off on 01 June 2009, with a review meeting to assess our first batch of applications. By the end of our first year, we had committed nearly $2 million to species conservation. This was just the beginning of our global impact.
March 2010
Joining the Conservation Leadership Programme
As the Fund grew, we teamed up with other conservation leaders to maximise our impact. Joining the final selection panel of the UK-based Conservation Leadership Programme was a big milestone for us.
September 2011
Our first exhibition
On a shoestring budget, we hosted our inaugural exhibition at the Abu Dhabi International Hunting and Equestrian Exhibition (ADIHEX) which turned out to be a major success. This was a joint effort in collaboration with the Environment Agency Abu Dhabi, the Falcon Hospital, International Fund for Houbara Conservation and the Abu Dhabi Authority for Culture and Heritage. It showed that our journey was not just justified but celebrated as a beacon of hope for conservation in the UAE.
December 2011
Independent Advisory Board established
With our applications increasing, we realised we needed a team of experts to help guide the Fund in selecting species and causes to support. So, we formed an independent Advisory Board made up of eight specialists who brought credibility to our application review process and shared valuable insights.
June 2014
Five years of giving
Talk to any of our early employees, and they’ll tell you that our 5-year anniversary came in the blink of an eye. In 2014, we celebrated our first 1,000 grant recipients and over $10 million invested in global conservation.
January 2015
Start of Dugong and Seagrass project
By this point, our small grants programme was thriving, allowing us to manage our first external partnership with the Convention on Migratory Species (CMS). The Dugong and Seagrass Project turned into a coordinated global effort across 43 projects in 8 countries, thanks to a $5.8 million investment from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
May 2018
Grant recipients meet MBZ Fund Chairman
It’s not every day that grant recipients get the chance to meet our chairman, but this time, a fortunate few, Marilyn Connel from the “punk” turtle project among them, had the opportunity. These grant recipients had the opportunity to personally thank His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi, at a special event celebrating his support for conservation.
June 2018
A decade of dedication
As we reflect our humble beginnings in the Chamber of Commerce on the Corniche to the stunning views from our current office at the Abu Dhabi Global Market, we’ve realised we’ve come a long way. By 2018, we had surpassed the 2,000-project mark and invested over $18 million in species conservation, all thanks to incredible leadership, a motivated team, and fantastic conservation partners on the ground.
February 2019
All good things come to an end
After four wonderful years, the Dugong and Seagrass Project wrapped up with a fitting closing event in Bali. The initiative brought together 57 organisations to improve conservation and management for dugong populations across the Indian and Pacific Oceans, benefiting over 200 coastal communities.
April 2020
Fund partners with Prince Bernhard Nature Fund
In an exciting collaboration, the MBZ Fund teamed up with the Prince Bernhard Nature Fund to launch Conservation Connect. This innovative online platform bridges the gap between local conservation projects and their supporting donors, boosting grassroots conservation efforts worldwide.
July 2020
Support in times of need
During the pandemic, while nature began to bounce back, many people faced serious struggles. The Fund decided to continue our support for grant recipients by providing COVID relief grants, helping conservationists and their organisations navigate these challenging times.
December 2020
MBZ Fund becomes IUCN member
The Fund has joined the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as a National NGO member from the United Arab Emirates. This membership allows us to amplify our conservation efforts, tap into the IUCN's scientific expertise and networks, and align our initiatives with global biodiversity goals, especially through the IUCN Red List.
April 2021
Mubadala invests in conservation
The success of the Dugong and Seagrass Project showed us we had the capacity for large-scale conservation efforts. Mubadala came on board as our next corporate partner, launching a 3-year partnership and investing $4.5 million in 11 projects supporting local NGOs in Colombia, Guinea, Thailand, Indonesia, and Canada.
September 2021
New IUCN President
We always knew our Managing Director, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, was exceptional, but one of our proudest moments was when she made history by being elected President of the IUCN at the Congress in Marseilles.
January 2023
Our UNFCCC High-Level Champion for nature
H.E. Razan Al Mubarak’s achievements didn’t stop there. She was also named the UNFCCC High-Level Champion for COP28, putting the spotlight on the importance of nature at a global level.
March 2024
Dolphin Energy joins our cause
Dolphin Energy came on board to fully fund our Chairman’s Awards, selecting projects not only for their conservation goals but also for their demonstration of soft conservation skills, such as community engagement, stakeholder collaborationand sustainable management practices.
April 2024
National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi signs up
Teaming up with the National Aquarium, Abu Dhabi (TNA) was extra special, reinforcing the UAE's commitment to global conservation. Through TNA's work, we were able to support the African Aquatic Conservation Fund in its mission to protect African manatees in their natural habitats.
April 2024
Philanthropy in conservation
The Fund has always maintained a close connection with the government, and a significant announcement was made during the Asian Venture Philanthropy Network in Abu Dhabi. As an affiliate of Erth Zayed Philanthropy, the Fund received a major boost with an additional $40 million commitment to the Fund’s endowment over four years.
June 2024
Partnership with GEF for next generation
People are the heart of successful conservation. Our partnership with the Global Environment Facility (GEF) allowed us to support young conservationists from developing countries through the Global Field Grants initiative of the Fonseca Leadership Programme.
October 2024
Another milestone
The SSC Leaders meeting in 2008 significantly shaped our early journey, so it was fitting to celebrate our 15-year anniversary with them in Abu Dhabi. During the event, we proudly announced that we’ve supported 2,742 grantees across 174 countries and established 1,516 conservation allies worldwide to date.
January 2025
Partnership to preserve the Malayan Tiger
The UAE launched an exciting initiative to protect the critically endangered Malayan tiger, entrusting the management of this 5-year project to the MBZ Fund. The project site is the Al-Sultan Abdullah Royal Tiger Reserve in Pahang State, Malaysia, with Enggang Management Services as our on-ground partner.
September 2025
Our MD as Special Envoy for Nature
The Fund’s Managing Director, H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, has been appointed as a Special Envoy for Nature. This exciting role is all about boosting the UAE's standing in global nature conservation and integrating environmental goals into national strategies. She’ll focus on promoting nature-based solutions and promoting collaboration across international environmental agreements.
