UAE seeds secure place in Svalbard Global Seed repository, strengthening agricultural resilience
UAE – Seeds from the United Arab Emirates (UAE) have been securely deposited into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault in Norway, marking the first time Emirati agricultural research has been represented in this global repository.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often referred to as the “Doomsday Vault,” serves as the ultimate safeguard for global crop diversity.
Established to protect seeds from potential threats such as conflicts, climate change, and natural disasters, the facility currently houses over 1.3 million seed samples from 6,200 plant species.
The UAE’s deposit adds a unique genetic blueprint to this global repository. The seeds, which include species adapted to arid and saline environments, symbolize the UAE’s commitment to sustainability and innovation.
They also represent a critical resource for addressing future challenges in global food security, particularly as climate change intensifies.
The seeds, collected and studied by the International Center for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA) in the UAE, include 315 accessions from 110 plant species, among them the Ghaf tree, the UAE’s national tree.
These species were selected for their exceptional resilience to drought, heat, and salinity, traits critical for agriculture in extreme environments. The deposit, consisting of seeds from 24 genera and 61 species, represents decades of research in plant breeding, biotechnology, and environmental adaptation.
Dr. Tarifa Alzaabi, Director General of ICBA, highlighted the significance of this historic event.
“From the heart of the UAE to the Arctic permafrost, ICBA’s seeds have embarked on a journey through time, ensuring future generations can access the genetic resources needed to sustain food production in a changing world, Alzaabi said.
For over two decades, ICBA has been at the forefront of agricultural research, focusing on crops that thrive in harsh environments. The ICBA Genebank, home to more than 17,000 accessions from 325 plant species, is one of the world’s largest collections of drought, heat, and salt-tolerant crops.
By contributing these seeds to the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, the UAE is reinforcing its commitment to international collaboration and sustainable development.
As climate change, desertification, and water scarcity continue to threaten global food security, preserving these seeds ensures that future scientists, farmers, and policymakers have access to the genetic resources necessary to develop resilient agricultural systems.
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