FEA and FRC launch the UAE’s first Digital Pollen Atlas Platform
FUJAIRAH, UAE, 22 June 2026: The Fujairah Environment Authority (FEA) announced the launch of the UAE Pollen Atlas Digital Platform, in a collaboration with the Fujairah Research Centre (FRC).
Making the announcement through a June 22 Press Release, FEA said the platform was unveiled during a one-day event at the Philosophy House in Fujairah, attended by scientists and researchers from leading research centres and universities across the UAE. FEA added that the initiative establishes the nation’s first unified, validated reference system for environmental and pollen data and that the launch event featured panel discussions and interactive technical workshops detailing the platform’s multi-layered capabilities.
FEA said that departing from traditional static catalogues, the newly launched platform serves as a long-term scientific data management ecosystem integrating a national pollen database, geographic information systems (GIS), comprehensive airborne pollen records, and live air quality indicators. FEA added that the infrastructure, driven by computer science, leverages artificial intelligence and machine learning for automated pollen classification, and that by training the AI models on expert-validated imagery and local field records, the system ensures precision while adapting to the region’s unique environmental variables.
FEA said a core component of the initiative focuses on dynamic geospatial intelligence. Through extensive GIS mapping, FEA said, the platform connects pollen and plant distributions to precise locations across the UAE’s diverse terrains, spanning coastal zones, mountain ranges and urban centres. FEA said this spatial framework overlays pollen concentration data with seasonal climate patterns and air quality variables, such as particulate matter levels and dust events, and that as a result, the system shifts from a baseline database towards a more predictive tool, supporting regional seasonal calendars and contributing to the development of frameworks for future environmental health alerts.
On the technical front, FEA said, the project introduces a localised engineering solution through the development of a specialised airborne pollen trap tailored to the UAE’s extreme weather conditions. FEA said it is designed to withstand in high-temperature, high-humidity and dust-prone environments and that the system is intended to support reliable sampling from remote and urban sites. FEA said the resulting data feeds directly into the platform’s extensive microscopy library and AI-ready datasets, creating a robust baseline of localised information that reduces dependence on imported, non-native scientific references.
FEA said that ultimately, the digital environmental intelligence infrastructure supports the UAE to better monitor its native biodiversity while driving critical research into respiratory health, asthma triggers and climate-induced ecological shifts. FEA added that by providing a clear, multi-dimensional view of how air quality, weather and flora interact, the platform delivers a decision-support asset for scientists, public health entities and environmental policymakers nationwide.
H.E. Aseela Abdullah Al Moalla, Director, Fujairah Environment Authority, affirmed that the launch of the digital Pollen Atlas platform aligns with the UAE’s vision to support environmental sustainability and enhance food security.
H.E. Al Moalla said: “This project represents a strategic step toward strengthening digital environmental infrastructure and advancing data-driven environmental knowledge. It also contributes to environmental protection, biodiversity conservation, and scientific research, while aligning with the objectives of Fujairah Strategy 2028 and the UAE National Food Security Strategy 2051. By providing reliable scientific data, the platform supports environmental planning, enables informed decision-making, contributes to the conservation of natural resources, and enhances quality of life.”
Dr. Fouad Lamghari Ridouane, Director, Fujairah Research Centre, said: “This platform represents a major scientific breakthrough, offering an unprecedented, AI-ready framework tailored specifically to the unique ecological dynamics of the UAE. The successful realisation of this complex project highlights the vital importance of deep collaboration between government entities, research centres and academic institutions. By bridging advanced technologies with ecological monitoring, we have built an invaluable scientific foundation that turns raw environmental data into actionable intelligence, driving future innovations in climate and public health research.”