Sharjah Crown Prince Inaugurates 24th SICFAB Event with Excitement

Photo: Sharjah Government Media Bureau

His Highness Sheikh Sultan bin Mohammed bin Sultan Al Qasimi, the Crown Prince and Deputy Ruler of Sharjah, recently attended the 24th Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabian Biodiversity (SICFAB). This important event is happening at Sharjah Safari in Al Dhaid and will continue until February 6. The Environment and Protected Areas Authority organized this four-day forum.

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During the opening ceremony, Hana Saif Al Suwaidi, the Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority, gave a speech. She spoke about how the forum is a crucial part of Sharjah's efforts to protect the environment. She highlighted that the forum reflects the emirate’s commitment to preserving biodiversity and working together to solve environmental problems.

This year, the forum’s main focus is on studying the reptile species in the Arabian Peninsula. The research builds on a study from 2012, and the results show that the number of unique reptile species in the region has grown from 89 to 141. This is a clear sign of the Arabian Peninsula’s rich biodiversity, and it shows the importance of ongoing conservation efforts.

Philip Seddon, who is a member of the forum’s scientific committee, shared a summary of the topics being discussed. He praised the work that has been done to make the forum successful over the years and pointed out areas that still need improvement, such as managing nature reserves and promoting eco-tourism.

Seddon also talked about the challenges facing marine mammals. He mentioned an important project aimed at monitoring and studying marine mammals in distress. This project is set to improve efforts to help these animals and includes special training programs for students.

Dr. Craig Hilton Taylor, from the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), presented a detailed plan for assessing regional reptiles and amphibians. He discussed the difficulties in conservation and outlined the goals that the IUCN aims to achieve in protecting nature.

Another speaker, Dr. Hani Al Shaer from the IUCN, introduced the Green List. This is a list that recognizes protected areas that are doing a great job in conservation. Dr. Al Shaer shared examples from both around the world and from the Arab region of places that are making a real difference in preserving nature.

During the event, His Highness Sheikh Sultan was given a certificate recognizing Sir Bu Nair Island Reserve’s inclusion in the IUCN Green List. This certificate highlights Sharjah’s dedication to effectively managing protected areas and using the best conservation practices.

The forum features many discussion sessions covering important topics such as how to monitor marine life and how to train future researchers in environmental science. The event emphasizes the need for collaboration between universities and environmental organizations to address the biodiversity challenges in the Arabian Peninsula.

More than 130 international experts and researchers are taking part in the forum. These experts specialize in environmental science and biodiversity. They are discussing key environmental issues and working to improve our understanding of ecosystems so that we can better protect endangered species.

The 24th SICFAB is an essential event for showing Sharjah’s leadership in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation. It also demonstrates the emirate’s ongoing commitment to sustainability, both locally and globally. The discussions and outcomes from this forum will contribute to future conservation efforts and further improve the protection of our planet.