UAE Stores Seeds in Arctic 'Doomsday Vault'
These contributions to the Arctic's Svalbard Global Seed Vault include resilient varieties like the Ghaf tree, the national symbol of the UAE.
Seeds from the UAE have been transported to the Arctic, where they are securely stored in the Svalbard Global Seed Vault. Located on an island above the Arctic Circle, the vault is a critical safeguard for agricultural biodiversity.
The UAE’s contribution, made through the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), includes 315 seed samples from 110 plant species, including resilient varieties like the Ghaf tree, the national symbol of the UAE.
These seeds are particularly valuable for their ability to withstand harsh climates, including drought, extreme heat and high salinity. The vault itself houses over 1.3 million seed samples from more than 6,200 plant species, all kept in a facility designed to protect them from global crises such as conflict and natural disasters.
The Svalbard Global Seed Vault, often called the "Doomsday Vault," serves as the ultimate insurance policy for the world’s food supply. Operated by the Nordic Genetic Resources Centre, it is considered one of the most secure places on Earth, designed to protect agricultural diversity in the face of climate change. The seeds, preserved in the permafrost of the Arctic, will ensure that future generations have access to plant genetic resources needed to maintain sustainable food production.
