The designations employed and the presentation of material in this publication do not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations concerning the legal status of any country, territory, city or area or of its authorities, or concerning the delimitation of its frontiers or boundaries.

United Arab Emirates (UAE) is located in the Middle East, bordering the Gulf of Oman and the Persian Gulf, between Oman and Saudi Arabia at a strategic location along southern approaches to Strait of Hormuz, a vital transit point for world crude oil. It is bounded on the north and northeast by the Persian Gulf, Oman on east and southeast; on the south and west by Saudi Arabia. United Arab Emirates has a total area of 82,880 km2.

United Arab Emirates is flat, barren coastal plain merging into rolling sand dunes of vast desert wasteland; mountains in east and the highest point is Jabal Yibir 1,527 m.

The climate in United Arab Emirates is desert; cooler in eastern mountains.

Since the discovery of oil in the UAE more than 30 years ago, the UAE has undergone a profound transformation from an impoverished region of small desert principalities to a modern state with a high standard of living. At present levels of production, oil and gas reserves should last for more than 100 years. Agricultural products are dates, vegetables, watermelons; poultry, eggs, dairy products and fish.

UAE does not harbour Desert Locust breeding areas; the Plant Protection & Quarantine Department of the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries based in Dubai is responsible for Desert Locust control in case of an emergency situation.