Sharjah24 - WAM: The Climate Tribe (TCT) and the Hamdan bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum International Photography Award (HIPA) have formalised a collaboration agreement where the two parties will leverage the power of photography in advancing climate action.

The agreement was signed by Sheikha Shamma bint Sultan bin Khalifa Al Nahyan, President and CEO of The Climate Tribe, and Ali Khalifa bin Thalith, Secretary-General of HIPA, at the UAE Independent Climate Change Accelerators' Pavilion during COP28, setting the stage for an innovative partnership that aims to inspire global awareness and tangible action on sustainability issues.

The first initiative under their agreement will be the “COP28 Photography Competition”, where participants are invited to submit their creative photography in two categories, PLANET and SOLUTIONS, until 31st December 2023.

The collaboration between TCT and HIPA seeks to amplify the impact of exceptional photography within an engaged, action-focused, sustainability community both locally and globally.

The key components of the partnership include the development of a curated collection of climate and sustainability-focused images, utilizing both the HIPA archive and encouraging the creation of original content.

Additionally, the collaboration will involve hosting sustainability-focused community photography events to inspire awareness and action around climate change.

Sheikha Shamma stated, "The Climate Tribe is continuously exploring and identifying new and innovative ways to tell stories and creative narratives around sustainability and climate change. Partnering with HIPA is a reflection of this commitment, and I'm thoroughly looking forward to seeing all the photography.

Through the COP28 Photography Competition, we invite photographers to visually articulate the urgency of climate action. Each photograph has the potential to be a catalyst for change, inspiring individuals and communities to take meaningful steps towards a sustainable future."

She added, "A photograph has the ability to touch our hearts. It can teleport us all over the world and introduce us to different cultures as well as their life and challenges. Photography is a key art form in telling the stories of our planet and sustainable solutions that inspire climate action."

HIPA Secretary-General said "We are pleased to embark on this collaborative journey to collectively champion climate action through the art of storytelling and inclusive community engagement."

"Our shared ambition and vision led us to launch this competition, which will more importantly, raise awareness about the vital need for joint cultural as well as artistic endeavours. Our goal is to identify the challenges, inspire solutions and create a sustainable future for our planet - that guarantees a green legacy for generations to come. We invite and encourage our photography community to showcase the transformative power of art and its role in securing a brighter, greener tomorrow."

As the first initiative under their collaboration, the competition aims to bring together photographers worldwide to capture the essence of climate action and sustainability through their lens. Entries will be judged on creativity, impact, and the ability to convey a powerful message related to climate change.

This collaboration between The Climate Tribe and HIPA represents a significant step forward in the intersection of art, activism, and environmental consciousness. By harnessing the visual storytelling power of photography, the partnership aims to foster a deeper connection between communities worldwide and the pressing need for climate action.