Sultan Bin Ahmed graces Conservation Summit

The 2025 Conservation Summit held on Monday at the 9th edition of Xposure International Photography Festival, in the presence of Sheikh Sultan Bin Ahmed Al Qasimi, Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, Deputy Chairman of the Sharjah Executive Council, and Chairman of the Sharjah Media Council (SMC), brought together powerful voices – photographers, conservationists and government officials – to address critical environmental challenges of our time.

This year’s summit focused on migration and the pressing challenges threatening our future. It was a clarion call that also showcased the role of photography and storytelling in bolstering conservation efforts.Highlighting the UAE’s conservation efforts, Dr Amna Bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, spoke about the country’s leadership in sustainability. “Migration does not recognise borders: creatures travel thousands of miles to live and regenerate. If species stop migrating, it is a dangerous indicator for all of us.

Through the lenses of the photographers participating in Xposure, we can clearly see how current migration patterns reflect the health of our environment and nature, and how these changes affect the ecosystems around us”, she said. “In the UAE, we are fully aware of our responsibility to protect our planet and preserve its biodiversity.

We host the Regional Office of the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species, which has spearheaded numerous successful initiatives to protect species such as birds of prey and dugongs. We also provide a safe haven for many migratory species,” she added. She also highlighted the UAE’s 49 natural protected areas that represent more than 15% of the country’s total land area, and policies aimed at safeguarding biodiversity, including efforts to mitigate climate change’s pervasive impact.

Additionally, the UAE has maintained its leadership in marine protected areas, expanding to 16 zones that account for over 12% of its coastal region; well above the global average of 7.5%. “Nature is sending us warning signs, and we need creative policies and collective efforts to protect migration and the natural environment,” Dr Al Dahak asserted.Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), set an urgent tone, presenting migration as an ancient rhythm of life now at risk due to human interference and climate change.

“Migration has been the heartbeat of our planet, and when we protect it, we protect the future of all life, including our own.” She went on to emphasise the importance of the diverse efforts being undertaken by Sharjah, noting: “What brings us together today at this summit today is our commitment to taking concrete steps towards new solutions.

Change is possible, and humanity is capable of restoring nature’s balance. Here in Sharjah, we have many nature reserves that serve as safe destinations for these birds, including Wasit Reserve, which shelters more than two hundred species of migratory birds, thereby reviving their natural habitat.”She underscored Xposure’s efforts to amplify conservation by blending visual media with actionable initiatives.

“Cameras not only document the magic of nature but convey the message of preservation – for both birds and humankind. Our responsibility is to create a future where birds fly without fear,” she concluded.The opening keynote talk, delivered by distinguished American wildlife photographer, cinematographer, and conservationist Gerrit Vyn, delved into the world of shorebirds: tiny yet extraordinary travellers whose migrations constitute some of nature’s most astonishing feats.

“This bird weighs about as much as a slice of bread, yet it might travel 10,000 kilometres from Venezuela to the Arctic tundra, finding the exact same nest depression each year,” Vyn explained, intertwining scientific insight with an intimate portrayal of their lives. The producer for the Cornell Lab of Ornithology spotlighted the incredible resilience of species like the bar-tailed godwit, which migrates 11,000 kilometres non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand. Yet, their survival is tethered to fragile habitats, like China’s Yellow Sea, rapidly vanishing due to reclamation.