Compiled and prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

What is COP?

The Conference of the Parties (COP) to the UN Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) is an international climate summit, which has been held annually since 1995 to try to reduce the ways humans are affecting the Earth’s climate. There are now 198 Parties (197 countries plus the European Union) to the Convention, constituting near universal membership. Back in 2015, the world committed to the Paris Agreement — an ambitious pact outlining objectives to restrict global temperature increases to 1.5°C — to avert the most severe consequences of climate change on both society and nature.

2023 marks the inaugural ‘global stocktake’ where progress towards the Paris Agreement will be comprehensively evaluated. The host of the 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) will be the UAE (United Arab Emirates). COP28 UAE will be a transformational moment for the world to unite around tangible climate action and deliver realistic solutions. Achieving this requires collaboration across  civil society, governments, industries, and sectors. COP28 UAE will take place from November 30 to December 12, 2023 at Expo City, Dubai in the United Arab Emirates. 

The event will include two zones: 

1. The Blue Zone is a UNFCCC-managed site, open to accredited parties (country negotiators) and observer delegates (NGOs, IGOs, UN Agencies), media, and world leaders.  The Blue Zone hosts formal negotiations across the two weeks of the conference, and hundreds of official side events, including panel discussions, speaking events, and cultural events.; and
2. The Green Zone is a space managed and delivered by the COP28 UAE Presidency. It offers a platform to non-accredited delegates, including youth groups, civil society, the  private sector, and indigenous groups to have their voices heard, promoting dialogue and awareness about climate action. 

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Prince Hussain Aga Khan: A Brief Profile

Prince Hussain, 3^rd child of Mawlana Hazar Imam, His Highness the Aga Khan, developed a keen interest in conservation at a young age and began scuba diving at 14. He frequently travelled to the tropics after high school and started taking photographs of fauna and flora on a trip to the Brazilian Amazon in 1996. Through numerous exhibitions, publications and talks, he has created a global platform to raise awareness and inspire and educate audiences to protect the most threatened places and species on our planet. He has published four books, Animal Voyage (2004), Diving into Wildlife (2015), Fragile Beauty (2022), and The Living Sea (2022), as well as held numerous illustrated talks for diverse audiences.

His exhibitions have been held in Bahrain, Canada, France, Italy, Kenya, Monaco, Portugal, Spain, Switzerland, the United Kingdom and the United States of America. His two exhibitions the Living Sea and Fragile Nature are on display at COP28 in Dubai.

Prince Hussain chairs the board of the Aga Khan Agency for Habitat, serves on the board of the Aga Khan Trust for Culture, and is a member of the Aga Khan Development Network’s Environment and Climate Committee. He is a board member of Mission Blue and of the Shark Conservation Fund,  a member of the Jane Goodall Legacy Foundation’s Council for Hope, and an ambassador for the Natural History Museum, London. 

In 2014, Prince Hussain established Focused on Nature (FON) to support global conservation, advocacy and research efforts through financial contributions to conservation organisations, including significant grassroots initiatives.

Prince Hussain’s photography exhibitions, public screenings, illustrated talks, books, and limited edition print sales are all used to inspire people to fall in love with nature, encourage them to change their consumption behaviours and motivate them to educate others.

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Prince Hussain Aga Khan Will Engage in Story-Telling and Discussions at COP28 Through UK’s Whale and Dolphin Conservation (WDC) and the Natural History Museum (NHM)

“We can’t save the world without saving the ocean, and we can’t save the ocean without saving whales. That’s why over the next two weeks, we’ll be in Dubai at COP28, the biggest climate event of the year, ensuring that the ocean’s vital role in fighting the climate crisis is at the heart of discussions, and that all our non-human climate allies, including whales and dolphins, are starting to be integrated into governments’ climate strategies and commitments.” — Ed Goodal, WDC, See Save the Whale, Save the World

1. STORIES: Underwater Encounters

On December 8, 2023, 10 am – 12 noon, at the Green Zone, Terra Auditorium, conservationist and photographer Prince Hussain Aga Khan and renowned oceanographer Dr. Sylvia Earle will share their remarkable stories around special encounters with underwater species and ecosystems.

Both visionaries are committed to safeguarding our planet’s natural heritage and resources for future generations. Prince Hussain and Dr. Earle will be joined by child authors from the Voices of Future Generations (Middle East) initiative, who will share excerpts from their insightful and creative stories about their hopes and desires for a cleaner, healthier planet.

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2. DISCUSSION – A Multi-Perspective Approach to the Protection of Whales and Dolphins

On December 9, 2023, 6 – 8 pm, at the Green Zone, Terra Auditorium, NHM’s Dr Richard Sabin, Principal Curator, Mammals, who has worked at the NHM for the past 30 years, will be joining Dr Sylvia Earle (Mission Blue) and conservationist and photographer Prince Hussain Aga Khan to discuss the conservation of whales and dolphins. This unique session, moderated by Dr. Reem AlMealla (NUWAT for Environment, Research & Education), will also include Dr. Denise Herzing (Wild Dolphin Project) and WDC’s Chris Butler-Stroud. This renowned conservationists, storytellers and scientists will share knowledge and experiences gained from extraordinary research, global advocacy efforts and exploring groundbreaking technology to protect cetacean populations.

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Prince Hussain Aga Khan: Photography at COP28

The following is a summary of two photographic exhibitions by Prince Hussain that are currently showing at COP28 UAE:

1. FRAGILE BEAUTY

As a tribute to the ocean’s beauty and magic, Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s exhibition sheds light on hidden wonders below the water. More than just a visual experience, the exhibition serves as a powerful reminder of environmental urgency in the conservation and protection of endangered marine species. Visitors are invited to walk through the stimulating photography collection, to be inspired by the ocean’s beauty and to reflect on the impact humans have on marine life.

The exhibition is offered in collaboration with Terra at the impressive Sustainability Pavilion at Expo City Dubai. Launched on October 8, the exhibition will continue until December 13, 2023. The exhibition is offered indoors in the Foyer and Auditorium levels and outdoors on the terrace (please click on the links to see a small collection of the displayed photographs.)

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2. THE LIVING SEA

This exhibition of Prince Hussain’s photographs is displayed at the Blue Zone, DEC South Hall, Expo City Dubai, from November 30 – December 12, 2023. The photographs capture the sublime beauty and diversity of life in the oceans. The Prince’s encounters with multiple underwater species and ecosystems offer a glimpse into a world that is increasingly threatened by the effects of climate change, marine pollution and over-fishing. Please click on The Living Sea to see a selection of the photographs on the FON website.

Barakah will be updating readers about Prince Hussain’s activities at COP28 UAE.

Date posted: November 30, 2023.

Forthcoming in Barakah: Details of Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s LIMITED EDITION Signed Prints for sale exclusively in the USA and Canada.

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IMPORTANT LINKS

We invite you to click on the following external links to learn more about COP28, the activities of Prince Hussain and his organization Focused on Nature, the Whales and Dolphin Conservation group in the UK as well as the Natural History Museum with whom Prince Hussain collaborated for his two presentations on December 8 and 9, 2023, at COP28 UAE.

• Husssain Aga Khan and Focused on Nature
• Focused on Nature Shop
• UN Climate Change Conference – United Arab Emirates
• WDC – Whale and Dolphin Conservation
• NHM – Natural History Museum Press Release

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Before departing this website please take a moment to visit Barakah’s Home Page or Table of Contents for links to more than 300 pieces dedicated to Mawlana Hazar Imam, members of his family and the Ismaili Imamat. Also, visit our two sister websites, Simerg and Simergphotos. Barakah’s editor Malik may be reached at mmerchant@barakah.com. Please follow him @Facebook and @Twitter.