Sultan Bin Ahmed Attends Conservation Summit Opening at Xposure Festival

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

The 2025 Conservation Summit took place on Monday during the 9th edition of the Xposure International Photography Festival in Sharjah. His Highness 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), attended the event. The summit brought together photographers, conservationists, and government officials to discuss serious environmental problems and how to protect nature.

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A Focus on Migration and Conservation

This year’s summit highlighted migration and the challenges it faces. The event also showed how photography and storytelling can help in protecting nature. The discussion stressed that climate change and human activities are affecting migration patterns, which could harm the balance of nature.

UAE’s Role in Conservation

Her Excellency Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and Environment, spoke about the UAE’s efforts in protecting nature. She explained that migration is a natural process that has no borders. Many species travel thousands of miles every year to find food, breed, and survive. However, if migration stops, it signals a serious problem for the planet.

Dr. Al Dahak emphasized that the UAE is committed to protecting biodiversity. The country hosts the Regional Office of the United Nations Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species and has taken many steps to protect species like birds of prey and dugongs. The UAE has also established 49 natural protected areas, covering more than 15% of its land, as well as 16 marine protected zones that cover over 12% of its coastal region. She warned that nature is showing clear warning signs and urgent action is needed to protect migration and ecosystems.

Urgency in Protecting Migration

Alya Al Suwaidi, Director of the Sharjah Government Media Bureau (SGMB), spoke about the importance of migration in nature. She described migration as the “heartbeat of our planet,” which is now at risk due to human interference and climate change. She pointed out that Sharjah has many nature reserves that serve as safe homes for birds, including Wasit Reserve, which shelters more than 200 species of migratory birds.

She also emphasized the role of Xposure in spreading awareness about conservation. According to her, photography is not just about capturing beautiful images but also about telling important stories that inspire people to protect nature. “Our responsibility is to create a future where birds fly without fear,” she concluded.

The Incredible Journey of Shorebirds

One of the key speakers at the summit was American wildlife photographer, cinematographer, and conservationist Gerrit Vyn. He spoke about the amazing migration journeys of shorebirds, small birds that travel incredible distances. He shared the story of a bird that weighs about as much as a slice of bread but flies 10,000 kilometers from Venezuela to the Arctic tundra, finding the same nesting spot every year.

Vyn highlighted the bar-tailed godwit, a bird that flies 11,000 kilometers non-stop from Alaska to New Zealand. He explained that before migration, these birds shrink their digestive systems to store more fat and muscle, helping them survive the long journey. However, these birds are now struggling because their resting spots, like China’s Yellow Sea, are disappearing due to land development. If they lose these critical areas, they will not be able to refuel, and their migration cycle will collapse.

He shared an inspiring story about how photography and storytelling led to real change. In China, after years of conservation efforts and media coverage, the government announced a stop to land reclamation in key shorebird habitats. “We have heard for years that the films and media we produced helped make this decision possible,” Vyn said, showing how visual storytelling can lead to action.

Monarch Butterflies – A Conservation Crisis

Spanish photographer and conservationist Jaime Rojo shifted the focus to monarch butterflies, which are facing a serious decline. He explained that these butterflies, famous for their long migration journey in North America, have lost 90% of their population in the last 30 years. The biggest threats to them are industrial farming, pesticide use, urban development, and climate change.

Rojo mentioned that milkweed, the plant essential for monarchs to lay their eggs, has disappeared by 60% in the American Midwest, which has led to an 80% decline in monarch populations in just a decade. Despite this, he highlighted hopeful conservation efforts where Indigenous communities in Mexico and regular citizens in the U.S. are working to save the species. He encouraged everyone to help by creating small butterfly-friendly spaces in their backyards, proving that even small efforts can make a difference.

The Role of Oceans in Conservation

Marine conservationist and environmental photojournalist Ralph Pace spoke about the importance of oceans in the fight against climate change. He explained that oceans absorb 30% of the excess carbon dioxide and 90% of the heat generated by human activities, making them essential in maintaining the planet’s health.

Pace highlighted the role of sea creatures like whales and sea turtles in maintaining ocean ecosystems. He explained that whales help transfer nutrients across the ocean, while sea turtles play a role in keeping marine life balanced. However, these species are also in danger. Whale populations have been reduced due to hunting, and climate change is affecting sea turtles by making most hatchlings female due to rising sand temperatures. Leatherback turtles also face danger from fishing nets and pollution.

Despite these challenges, Pace remains hopeful. He urged people to view the ocean not as a victim but as a tool that can help combat climate change. “We need to protect these areas now more than ever,” he said.

The Power of Photography in Conservation

The 2025 Conservation Summit ended with a strong message about how photography and storytelling can play a major role in protecting nature. Through stunning images and powerful narratives, photographers and conservationists are raising awareness about the urgent need to save migration routes, protect endangered species, and restore balance to ecosystems. The event showed that with creativity, cooperation, and action, people can make a difference in the fight against climate change and environmental destruction.

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