The collaboration applies AI-powered aerial imaging to support biodiversity protection and environmental sustainabilityAbu Dhabi, UAE, January 20, 2026 The International Fund for Houbara Conservation and Space42, the UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company with global reach, signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to advance the use of artificial intelligence (AI) and unmanned aerial systems to monitor and protect the Houbara, supporting more effective, non-intrusive conservation at scale.
Through this partnership, both entities will support global efforts to protect endangered species, advance conservation science, and strengthen the UAE's position as a leader in environmental technology innovation.
Signed at Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week 2026, the agreement establishes a framework for aerial imaging, data collection, and AI-driven analysis to support scientific research, wildlife monitoring, and habitat protection. The collaboration aligns with the UAE's commitment to biodiversity conservation and the use of advanced technologies to support environmental sustainability.
The integration of drones and AI enables non-intrusive, data-driven wildlife monitoring at scale, generating actionable intelligence that informs conservation decision-making. High-resolution aerial imagery and sensor data will support accurate population tracking, behavioral analysis, habitat classification, and early identification of environmental risks. Compared to traditional field surveys, this approach improves efficiency, reduces operational impact on sensitive ecosystems, and supports the creation of long-term scientific datasets to inform conservation strategies.
The MoU was signed by His Excellency Mohammed Al Matoua Al Dhaheri, Acting Director General of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, and Hasan Al Hosani, CEO, Smart Solutions at Space42.
His Excellency Mohammed Al Matoua Al Dhaheri, Acting Director General of the International Fund for Houbara Conservation, said: This MoU reflects our commitment to strengthening partnerships that support evidence-based conservation. By combining our deep expertise in biology, behavior, and habitats with advanced AI and aerial imaging technologies, we are enhancing our ability to monitor Houbara populations after release, understand their survival and adaptation in the wild, and support long-term conservation decision making rooted in data and science.
Hasan Al Hosani, CEO, Smart Solutions at Space42, said, This collaboration with the International Fund for Houbara Conservation reflects how Space42 applies AI and autonomous systems to address real-world challenges. By converting aerial data into AI-driven action, we are enabling more informed decision-making for wildlife monitoring and conservation planning. The partnership demonstrates our role as a trusted technology partner, delivering scalable, data-led solutions that support biodiversity protection and advance national and global sustainability objectives.
The partnership builds on the Fund's decades-long leadership in conservation science and its role in advancing the vision of the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan in wildlife protection and natural heritage preservation. Since its launch in 1977, the Fund has developed a comprehensive scientific knowledge base covering the biology, physiology, and population dynamics of Houbara species, including Asian and North African Houbara, as well as other bird species and ecosystems. The collaboration furthers Space42's leadership in applying AI, and autonomous systems to real-world challenges, and delivers against its strategy to be the preferred partner for premium geospatial data.
About the Houbara Satellite Tracking Program
The International Fund for Houbara Conservation operates a satellite tracking program using lightweight tracking devices designed to monitor Houbara movements without affecting natural behavior. The program provides data on geographic distribution, migration routes, survival rates, breeding patterns, and habitat use across vast and remote regions. These insights support data-led decision-making, long-term conservation planning, and international collaboration across the species' migratory range.
AI model development through remote sensing
Unmanned aerial systems equipped with high-resolution optical, thermal, and multispectral sensors capture aerial imagery across desert and remote environments. These datasets are used to train AI models capable of automatically detecting and counting Houbara, analyzing movement patterns, classifying habitats, and tracking changes over time. Model accuracy improves continuously as datasets expand, supporting scientific planning and conservation operations.
About the International Fund for Houbara Conservation
Established in 2006, the International Fund for Houbara Conservation continues a conservation vision first articulated in the 1970s by the late Sheikh Zayed bin Sultan Al Nahyan. Operating under the Zayed Humanitarian Legacy framework, the Fund leads global efforts in captive breeding, research, habitat management, and international partnerships to ensure the long-term survival of Houbara species in the wild.
More information: https://houbarafund.gov.ae/ar/home
About Space42
Space42 (ADX: SPACE42) is a UAE-based AI-powered SpaceTech company that integrates satellite communications, geospatial analytics and artificial intelligence capabilities to enlighten the Earth from space. Formed in 2024 by the successful merger of Bayanat and Yahsat, Space42's global reach allows it to address the rapidly evolving needs of its customers in governments, enterprises, and communities. Space42 comprises two business units: Space Services and Smart Solutions. Space Services focuses on upstream satellite operations for both fixed and mobility satellite services. Sm
