U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec Hosts Opening Reception for the National Geographic Photo Ark at Siam Paragon

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U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec Hosts Opening Reception for the National Geographic Photo Ark at Siam Paragon

[Bangkok, Thailand – July 17, 2024] – The U.S. Embassy Bangkok proudly launched the National Geographic Photo Ark exhibition at Siam Paragon on the night of July 17, 2024. This captivating exhibition features the awe-inspiring work of renowned National Geographic photographer and Explorer, Joel Sartore, and will be open to the public until July 29, 2024 at 3rd floor, Living Hall, Siam Paragon.

The opening ceremony was graciously attended by dignitaries, conservationists, media representatives, academics, business and civil society leaders who all gathered to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the natural world. U.S. Ambassador to Thailand Robert F. Godec, in his opening remarks, emphasized the importance of global cooperation in protecting endangered species, stating, “This exhibition showcases the unparalleled beauty of our planet’s wildlife and serves as a powerful reminder of our shared responsibility to protect it. This is never more urgent than right now when our planet is losing wildlife faster than at any other time since the disappearance of the dinosaurs.” Ambassador Godec added, “Environmental cooperation has long been and continues to be a cornerstone of our bilateral relations. And, as part of our commitment to the environment, we are close allies in wildlife conservation. Agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, the State Department, and the U.S. Agency for International Development, work closely with their Thai counterparts to combat wildlife trafficking in Thailand and in neighboring countries. Together, we have pursued initiatives from reducing air pollution to combating climate change. All aimed to preserve our natural heritage for future generations.”

Joel Sartore, the visionary behind the Photo Ark project, expressed his gratitude for the support of the U.S. Embassy and the opportunity to document Thailand’s unique biodiversity. He shared his hope that the exhibition will inspire people to connect with nature and take action to conserve it, saying, “The Photo Ark really exists to get people to look beyond ourselves and to bring these animals to the top of mind and help people realize that even the smallest creatures many think are at the bottom of the food chain, like insects, are what keep the planet stable. My job is to get people to try to engage the way that I know how, which is as a photographer.”

The Photo Ark exhibition, which is visiting Thailand for the first time, features stunning portraits of animals from around the globe, including many species endemic to Thailand and Southeast Asia. This project is managed by creative director and Thailand’s celebrated contemporary photographer, Tom Potisit. This exhibition is part of the U.S. Mission Thailand’s initiative to raise awareness about wildlife conservation and highlight the collaborative efforts between the United States and Thailand in combating transborder wildlife trafficking. The U.S. Mission in Thailand extends its gratitude to our partners Siam Piwat Group, Siam Paragon, B.Grimm, and UNESCO Regional Office in Bangkok (UNESCO Bangkok) for their support of this exhibition. Photo Ark is organized and traveled by The National Geographic Society.

About the National Geographic Photo Ark Exhibition

The “National Geographic Photo Ark” exhibition features some of Sartore’s most captivating images, offering visitors a unique opportunity to come face-to-face with animals from the National Geographic Photo Ark, including some that are endemic to Thailand and Southeast Asia. The exhibition will educate visitors about the project, its mission, and conservation efforts while engaging audiences of all ages through free educational materials and activities.

Learn more about the Photo Ark and how to support Sartore in his efforts to document our planet’s biodiversity, help save at-risk species and protect their critical habitats at NatGeoPhotoArk.org.

U.S. Mission Supports Thailand in Anti-Wildlife Trafficking Efforts

The United States has been a close ally and partner with Thailand for two centuries, collaborating in various fields, including wildlife conservation. Agencies such as the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS), State Department’s International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs (INL), and U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) work closely with their Thai counterparts to combat wildlife trafficking in Thailand and in neighboring countries. In 2024, the U.S. Mission Thailand is launching “Virtual Jungle Thailand,” a digital campaign to promote U.S.-Thai wildlife conservation efforts and raise awareness about the threats facing endangered species in Thailand. For more information about the U.S. Mission’s ongoing efforts to combat wildlife trafficking, please visit: https://th.usembassy.gov/wildlife.

For media inquiries, please contact:

Alisara Chirapongse, The United States Embassy | pressbkk@state.gov | +66 (0) 2-205-4232

Jidapa Parry, TQPR (Thailand) | mint@tqpr.com | +66 (0) 2-260-5820 ext. 113

Members of the press can access the Photo Ark press kit here: https://bit.ly/NatGeoPhotoArkTH

 

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