Emirati seeds make historic entry into Svalbard Global Seed Vault

In an unprecedented journey across continents and time, Emirati seeds, collected and extensively studied at the International Centre for Biosaline Agriculture (ICBA), have reached the Arctic, where they are now securely preserved in the world's most protected agricultural time capsule—the Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

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This historic deposit, the first of its kind from the Gulf region, marks a pivotal step in safeguarding the future of agriculture and ensuring the long-term preservation of climate-resilient crops for generations to come.

For the first time, seeds from the UAE's pioneering agricultural research have been enshrined in the permafrost of Norway's Svalbard archipelago. This deposit includes 315 accessions belonging to IIO plant species, including Ghaf tree, the national tree of UAE, selected for their exceptional tolerance to drought, heat, and salinity—traits essential for agriculture in extreme environments.

These seeds of 24 genera and 61 species, the result of ICBA’s extensive research and conservation efforts, now stand alongside the world’s most vital plant genetic resources.