Fatima Al-Zahra Al-Mheiri

Emirati environmentalist and entrepreneur leading marine conservation efforts in the Arabian Gulf.

Fatima Al-Zahra Al-Mheiri is a pioneering environmentalist and entrepreneur from the United Arab Emirates, renowned for her work in marine conservation and sustainability initiatives. Born in 1990 in Dubai, she developed a passion for the ocean from a young age and later became a certified diver, which ignited her commitment to protecting marine ecosystems. Al-Mheiri is the founder of Dive for a Cause, an organization dedicated to cleaning up the Arabian Gulf's waters through community-driven beach and underwater clean-up campaigns. Since its launch in 2018, the initiative has removed over 10,000 kilograms of plastic waste and engaged thousands of volunteers across the UAE.

Her advocacy extends beyond cleanup efforts. Al-Mheiri has been a vocal advocate for policy changes to combat plastic pollution, including campaigns to ban single-use plastics in the UAE. She has delivered TEDx talks, such as "Plastic-Free Oceans: A UAE Blueprint", and collaborated with global organizations like the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) to amplify her message. In 2022, she co-authored the "Arabian Gulf Marine Ecosystem Report", which highlighted the critical state of local coral reefs and the impact of microplastics on marine life.

Al-Mheiri's work has earned her recognition as a WWF Wildlife Hero and a Sustainia 100 Innovator. Her vision of merging entrepreneurship with environmentalism has inspired a new generation of Emirati youth to pursue careers in sustainability. In 2023, she launched the Blue Economy Hub, a platform connecting UAE businesses with sustainable marine practices. Through her relentless efforts, Al-Mheiri has redefined environmental stewardship in the Gulf region, proving that local action can drive global change.