Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, delivered the opening remarks at the Conservation Summit during the 10th annual Xposure Photography and Film Festival in Sharjah.

The Summit brought together filmmakers, scientists, and leaders from the UAE and around the world, including H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, H.E. Fahim bin Sultan Al Qasimi, Brian Skerry, Pippa Ehrlich, Shane Gross, Greg Lecoeur, Dr. Jennifer Adler, and Kathy Moran.

In her remarks, Ms. Al Mubarak reflected on the role of photography and film in shaping how we understand nature at a time of growing environmental pressure:

“Much of the natural world remains unseen by most people — and what we do not see easily becomes abstract, and easier to ignore.”

While scientific knowledge about nature has advanced significantly, Ms. Al Mubarak noted that the challenge today is how that knowledge reaches people and leads to responsibility and action. Photography and film play a central role in bridging this gap by making the invisible visible and connecting evidence with emotion.

Ms. Al Mubarak emphasized that photography and film are not adjacent to nature conservation — they are often a catalyst, noting “what we choose to see shapes what we choose to protect.”

“In the UAE, our relationship with nature has long been shaped by close observation and lived experience. Today, that same spirit of attention matters more than ever.”