Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi, Chairman of the Ruler’s Office, witnessed the launch of the 25th edition of the Sharjah International Conservation Forum for Arabia’s Biodiversity (SICFAB), organised by the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), at Sharjah Safari on Monday morning.
More than 180 international experts and researchers from environmental sciences and biodiversity will participate in the forum, which will continue until February 5, focusing on the marine ecosystems and invasive and alien species, including seabirds, as a gateway to exchange ideas and scientific experiences and to enhance regional and international cooperation during the days of the forum.
Aisha Rashid Dimas, Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority (EPAA), delivered an opening speech in which she stressed that, with the continuous support and wise vision of His Highness Sheikh Dr Sultan bin Mohammed Al Qasimi, Supreme Council Memberand Ruler of Sharjah, the forum constitutes a significant milestone in Sharjah's environmental journey. This year also marks the silver jubilee of the Forum, in celebration of a scientific march spanning twenty-five years of continuous work in the service of biodiversity, building knowledge, and promoting regional and international cooperation to protect ecosystems in the Arabian Peninsula.
The Chairperson of the Environment and Protected Areas Authority noted that the forum has made the protection of the environment and the preservation of biodiversity a strategic priority. Through its efforts, the forum has gathered more than 200 experts and launched programmes to study marine incidents, assess the Red List status of reptiles and amphibians, update the conservation status of more than 140 reptiles and 5 endemic amphibians, and provide advanced training programmes to enhance scientific and professional capabilities in monitoring, rehabilitation, scientific publishing, and scientific communication.
Addressing the objectives and importance of the forum in its current edition, Aisha Rashid Dimas said: "In this edition, the forum focuses on promoting a proactive approach to protection through scientific risk assessment, developing early-warning monitoring systems, and activating rapid-response mechanisms to maintain ecosystem resilience and reduce biodiversity loss. It also emphasises regional capacity-building, investment in people and knowledge, and cross-border cooperation as a sustainable approach. It highlights marine environments rich in marine and coastal birds and calls for protection, rescue, rehabilitation, and long-term scientific monitoring to promote data- and evidence-based management."
Dr David Malone, a member of the Scientific Committee of SICFAB, delivered a speech outlining the themes and importance of this year’s edition and the various activities scheduled throughout the forum days. Attendees also watched a visual presentation on wildlife across different habitats and the Authority’s conservation efforts
Following the inauguration, Sheikh Dr Salem bin Abdulrahman Al Qasimi toured the exhibition accompanying the forum, which focuses on the environment. The Chairman of the Ruler's Office also toured the Sharjah Safari.
The opening day of the forum saw intensive scientific sessions addressing a range of vital environmental topics, including invasive species, marine accidents, and the global re-evaluation of sea snakes within the IUCN Red List. In addition, specialised student workshops facilitated the exchange of experiences and knowledge and enhanced the capacity of the new generation of researchers in biodiversity conservation.
