As global leaders gather in Baku for COP29, the National Museum of Bosnia-Herzegovina will host the official opening of “Éric Bouvet: Élevations” photo exhibition highlighting through the camera lens the unfolding impacts of global climate change.

Organized by The VII Foundation, the French Embassy, and the French Institute in Bosnia in Herzegovina in collaboration with IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina and UNESCO through the “Culture and Creativity for the Western Balkans” (CC4WBs) project funded by the European Union, the exhibition uses Bouvet’s sustainable photography to confront the realities of the shifting environment, casting reflections on how climate change is directly affecting societies and influencing human mobility.

Climate change is not some distant threat, but an immediate force and it is responsible for driving the displacement of millions across the world. “Climate change is pushing millions of people to move every year, transforming migration patterns worldwide and reshaping communities,” noted Laura Lungarotti, IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina Chief of Mission. Over the past decade, climate-related disasters have affected more than 1.7 billion people globally, with over 26.4 million people displaced in 2023 alone. Every fraction of a degree of warming intensifies climate-induced disasters, increasing the risks of displacement for communities across the globe. “In Bosnia and Herzegovina along, ranking among Europe’s most climate-vulnerable countries, nearly a million people face the risks of flooding and landslides,” added Laura Lungarotti.

The exhibitions’ key message resonates deeply amidst the recent climate-related disasters in Europe, including Bosnia and Herzegovina, where the devastating floods of October 2024 directly impacted over 3,600 households, displaced approximately 1,000 individuals and left 27 dead in its wake.  As communities continue to grapple with the fallout from the disaster, it is clear that climate change is reshaping lives, decimating livelihoods, and leading to increased climate-induced displacement across the globe.

“Élevations,” a partnership between IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina, The VII Foundation, the French Embassy, the French Institute, and UNESCO sees them join forces in one voice to call for immediate climate action and to acknowledge the human dimensions of environmental degradation on communities.

While Bouvet’s exhibition speaks through the medium of art, the message is clear: climate change touches all aspects of human life, from the rights of individuals through to the stability of livelihoods. As disasters and environmental degradation continue to drive human mobility across the world, it is crucial to strengthen resilience in those communities at risk, to prioritise safe and regular migration pathways, and create adaptive and sustainable solutions to turn the tide.

“The challenges we face demand urgent, rights-based responses that are adaptive and sustainable. By prioritizing climate-resilient development and immediate support for at-risk communities, we can work toward a future where all communities are empowered and protected,” emphasized Laura Lungarotti.

Prior to this thought-provoking exhibition, IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina conducted a training module with photo-journalists to explore the links between environmental degradation and human mobility, highlighting how climate change drives displacement and affects communities. This module, combined with Eric Bouvet’s impactful photography techniques, aims to equip future photojournalists with the skills to capture these complex issues and raise awareness on the urgency to act.

As COP29 begins, IOM Bosnia and Herzegovina calls for a rights-based response to match the scale of the climate crisis that is unprecedented in human history. Sustainable and innovative solutions must be placed at the forefront of climate action to prevent forced migration caused by climate change and to protect the human rights of those most impacted by changes to their environment.

The exhibition runs until 5th January 2025 at the National Museum of Bosnia and Herzegovina in Sarajevo.

For media enquiries please contact: François Lhoumeau, frlhoumeau@iom.int.