Compiled and prepared by MALIK MERCHANT

The 28th United Nations Conference of the Parties (COP28) was held from November 30 to December 12, 2023, at Expo City in Dubai. We provided a brief overview of the goal of COP28 in our article which announced Prince Hussain Aga Khan’s participation at the all-important climate conference. Prince Rahim, his elder brother, was also present at COP28.

For the past two months, Expo City Dubai has played host to Prince Hussain’s photography exhibition, Fragile Beauty, which has both captivated visitors with its vibrancy, and drawn attention to the environmental challenges facing our oceans. 

On Friday, December 8, 2023, Prince Hussain led a tour of his exhibition at the Terra pavilion, for Her Highness Sheikha Hissa bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Her Highness Sheikha Maytha bint Hamdan bin Rashid Al Maktoum, and Prince Rahim accompanied by an AKDN delegation.

On the same day, Prince Hussain and renowned oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle, who has been a National Geographic Explorer at Large since 1998, shared their remarkable stories of special encounters with underwater species and ecosystems. Both visionaries are committed to safeguarding our planet’s natural heritage and resources for future generations.

On December 9, 150 students from the UAE Ismaili Jamat visited Expo City to tour the Fragile Beauty exhibit. As they studied each photo in turn, Prince Hussain emphasised the importance of clean oceans and underscored the grace and splendour of marine life such as turtles, sharks, seals and rays.

Later, during a special evening event, curated by Prince Hussain’s organization Focused on Nature, prominent conservationists shared their distinctive perspectives and expertise around the conservation of whales and dolphin. Renowned conservationists, storytellers and scientists — Dr. Sylvia Earle, Dr. Denise Herzing of The Wild Dolphin Project, Richard Sabin of The Natural History Museum London and Chris Butler-Stroud of Whale and Dolphin Conservation — participated with the Prince in a unique session that was moderated by Dr. Reem Al Mealla of NUWAT for Environment, Research & Education. They shared their knowledge and experiences gained from extraordinary research, global advocacy efforts, and exploring groundbreaking technology to protect cetacean populations.

Prince Hussain’s visit extended to the Aga Khan Early Learning Centre in Dubai, where he received a warm welcome from staff and children. Engaging with the community there, he toured the classrooms and met with staff, leaders, and other volunteers, as well as young children, who performed a song for him.

Through a combination of art and advocacy, Prince Hussain’s involvement at the UN Climate Conference inspired collective action in the face of climate change and reinforced the role of creativity in driving positive change for our planet.

Date posted: December 25, 2023.

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EXTERNAL LINKS: ARTICLE AND VIDEOS

Please click on the following link(s) for additional coverage, photographs and an excellent video that highlights Prince Rahim and Prince Hussain’s visit to COP28 and describes AKDN’s activities and strong engagement in the climate sector. We also have a link to a special video posted on Instagram, in which Prince Hussain introduces world-renowned oceanographer, Dr. Sylvia Earle.

(1) Article in The Ismaili: Prince Hussain focuses on ocean conservation at COP28

(2). Prince Hussain introduces one of his favourite people on the planet, Dr. Sylvia Earle, in the following Instagram video:

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by FOCUSED ON NATURE (@fonassociation)

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3. The Ismaili video presentation: Princes Rahim and Hussain at COP28 and AKDN engagement in the climate sector. Please click on the following YouTube video:

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