On 5 November 2021, the photo exhibition “The Mexican biodiversity through the lens of youth was inaugurated at the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture in Mexico City. The exhibition stems from the idea of celebrating biodiversity in Mexico and raising awareness of the importance of its protection.

The exhibition consists of 25 original photographs showing species of wild, migratory or resident animals living within Mexican borders. The photographs were selected from more than 1,000 images sent by youngsters, aged between 18 and 29, residents of various parts of the Mexican Republic, as part of the photo competition with the same title as the exhibition, organised by the Delegation of the European Union to Mexico, in coordination with the United Nations Environment Programme in Mexico, WWF Mexico and Terrasat.

The opening ceremony was attended by the Ambassador of the European Union, Mr. Gautier Mignot, Ms. Mercedes Jiménez del Arco, Director of the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture, Ms. Maria Amparo Martínez Arroyo, Director-General of the National Institute for Ecology and Climate Change (INECC), Ms. Dolores Barrientos, Representative to Mexico of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Mr. Jorge Rickards, Director-General of WWF Mexico. The speakers highlighted the role that young people can and should play in preserving Mexican mega-diversity. The event was also attended by representatives of various embassies of EU member States and Mexican institutions.

In his speech, Ambassador Mignot recalled that the opening of the exhibition coincided with the UN COP26 Climate Change Conference in Glasgow, UK, an event of vital importance for the future of global climate action and with clear impact on biodiversity. He congratulated the young photographers for capturing and sharing unique images of wildlife in Mexico. “They have not only demonstrated their talent, but also their passion and concern for nature and biodiversity.  Mexico’s biodiversity is wonderful. Let’s celebrate it and care for it!”

During the event, Ambassador Mignot handed awards to the three winners of the contest: First place - Jesús Antonio Moo Yam, resident of the State of Campeche; Second - Frida Yolotzin Jonguitud Sámano, resident of Quintana Roo State; And third place - Jorge Ramos Luna, a resident of the state of Veracruz. Also, special mentions were given out to eight of the authors of the photographs making up the exhibition.

The exhibition will remain in the Museum of Natural History and Environmental Culture until 16 January. The virtual version of the exhibition can be found on the website https://climayvidauemx.com/resultados-concurso/