Miral has appointed Emirati cultural and environmental advocate Ali Al Saloom as Conservation Ambassador for IMPACT by Miral, strengthening its efforts to raise awareness of the UAE’s natural heritage and encourage community participation in conservation initiatives.

The appointment brings together Miral’s commitment to social and environmental impact with Al Saloom’s work promoting the UAE’s cultural identity and environmental stewardship. In his new role, Al Saloom will support awareness campaigns and community engagement activities focused on protecting the country’s wildlife and ecosystems.

His responsibilities will include promoting conservation initiatives managed by Al Ain Zoo, covering Dama Gazelle Population Conservation, Wild Arabian Sand Cat studies and Raptor Conservation. He will also support projects led by the Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center on Yas Island, including Sea Turtle Population Tracking, Seagrass Research and Innovations for Sustainable Aquaculture.

Taghrid Alsaeed, Miral’s executive director of marketing, communications and events and vice chair of Miral Impact Fund, said: “IMPACT by Miral serves as a strategic platform for funding and delivering meaningful social and environmental initiatives across Abu Dhabi and is built on four pillars: Conservation, Arts & Culture, Health & Wellbeing, and Education & Skills Development. As an ambassador for the Conservation pillar, Ali Al Saloom will use his inspirational voice and deep dedication to our nation’s heritage to bridge complex conservation science with everyday community action. We are delighted to partner with him.”

Al Saloom, a cultural consultant and tourism expert with more than 20 years of experience, is also the founder of the ‘Ask Ali’ platform. As ambassador, he will launch and host Guardians of the Arabian Gulf, a six-part podcast series featuring discussions with conservation experts.

Additional engagement activities will include the Run for IMPACT event on October 25 at Yas Bay Waterfront, science talks at the Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center and Al Ain Zoo, and art and educational workshops.

Ali Al Saloom, Conservation Ambassador for IMPACT by Miral, said: “The UAE’s natural heritage is an important part of who we are, and protecting it is a responsibility we all share. Conservation is not only about preserving our environment for future generations, but also about helping people understand the extraordinary wildlife and ecosystems that exist around us. Through my partnership with IMPACT by Miral, I look forward to bringing these stories closer to our communities, connecting people with the experts working to protect our natural world, and inspiring more people to play an active role in its future."

Launched in late 2025 in partnership with the Authority of Social Contribution – Ma’an, IMPACT by Miral supports initiatives intended to deliver lasting social and environmental benefits across Abu Dhabi.

The fund operates under a steering committee and advisory working group to ensure oversight, transparency and alignment with the emirate’s priorities. Participating organisations include Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the UAE Ministry of Climate Change and Environment, the International Union for Conservation of Nature, Khalifa University, New York University Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates University, Natural History Museum Abu Dhabi, Al Ain Zoo, Yas SeaWorld® Research & Rescue Center and SeaWorld Yas Island, Abu Dhabi.

Through the appointment, Miral aims to connect conservation science with public engagement, encouraging residents and visitors to participate in protecting the UAE’s wildlife and natural environments. -TradeArabia News Service