Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi witnesses the launch of the Sharjah International Forum for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula
Sharjah, February 2, 2017 – Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi, Head of the Office of His Highness the Ruler, today witnessed the launch of the activities of the 25th session of the Sharjah International Forum for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula, organized by the Environment and Natural Reserves Authority, at the Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid City.
More than 180 international experts and researchers specializing in environmental sciences and biodiversity are participating in the forum, which continues until February 5. It focuses on the network of marine life and invasive and alien species, including seabirds, as an entry point for exchanging ideas and scientific expertise, and enhancing regional and international cooperation during the forum days.
Aisha Rashid Dimas, Chairwoman of the Environment and Natural Reserves Authority, gave an opening speech in which she stressed that the forum, with the continuous support and wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr. Sultan bin Muhammad Al Qasimi, Member of the Supreme Council and Ruler of Sharjah, constitutes a prominent milestone in Sharjah’s environmental journey, and this year coincides with the silver jubilee of the forum, celebrating a scientific journey that has extended over twenty-five years of continuous work in the service of biodiversity, building knowledge, and enhancing regional and international cooperation to protect the ecosystems of the peninsula. Arabic.
The head of the Environment and Natural Reserves Authority pointed out that the forum made protecting the environment and preserving biodiversity a strategic priority, as the forum succeeded, through its efforts, in gathering more than 200 experts and launching programs to study marine accidents, evaluate the red list of Arab reptiles and amphibians, and update the conservation status of more than 140 reptiles and 5 endemic amphibians, in addition to providing advanced training programs to enhance scientific and professional capabilities in monitoring, rehabilitation, scientific publishing, and scientific communication.
Dimas concluded her speech by addressing the objectives and importance of the forum in its current edition, saying: In this edition, the forum focuses on enhancing the proactive approach to protection through scientific risk assessment, developing early monitoring systems, activating rapid response mechanisms to maintain the resilience of ecosystems and reducing the loss of biodiversity, and paying attention to building regional capabilities and investing in people and knowledge. It dedicates cross-border cooperation as a sustainable approach. It also highlights marine environments rich in marine and coastal birds, protection efforts, rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term scientific monitoring. In the long term, to promote management based on data and scientific evidence.
Dr. David Malone, member of the Scientific Committee of the Sharjah International Forum for the Conservation of Biodiversity in the Arabian Peninsula, gave a speech in which he addressed the themes and importance of this year’s forum session and the various activities and events that will take place throughout the days of the forum. The attendees also watched a visual presentation on wildlife in various environments and the Authority’s efforts to preserve them.
Following the opening, Sheikh Dr. Salem bin Abdul Rahman Al Qasimi visited the exhibition accompanying the forum, which is concerned with the environment. The head of the Office of His Highness the Ruler also toured the Sharjah Safari.
The opening day of the forum witnessed intensive scientific sessions that addressed a range of vital environmental topics, including invasive and invasive species, marine accidents, and the re-evaluation of sea snakes at the global level within the IUCN Red List, in addition to specialized workshops for students, which allowed for the exchange of experiences and knowledge and strengthened the capabilities of the new generation of researchers in preserving biodiversity.
The forum is an important opportunity to highlight Sharjah’s pioneering role in the field of environmental protection and biodiversity preservation, as the emirate continues to lead research efforts and implement pioneering initiatives that enhance environmental sustainability at the regional and global levels, as the forum’s outputs will contribute to enriching environmental research, developing initiatives aimed at protecting the region’s unique ecosystems, and consolidating international cooperation in this vital field.
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