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Dear Regional/National Committee Chair or Councilor,
If all goes according to plan, IUCN will convene from 3 to 10 September a hybrid (in-person and online) World Conservation Congress in Marseille, France. While I am looking forward to the possibility of meeting many of you face-to-face for the first time in more than a year, I am also concerned that many of us will not be able to attend due to the ongoing pandemic. This is why I am reaching out to you before the Congress convenes to offer to meet and discuss our visions for the Congress and IUCN.
I would also like to take this opportunity to express my appreciation for your continued commitment to IUCN even as the pandemic has now delayed the Congress for what is likely going to be 15 months. The success and effectiveness of the Union is largely due to the continued dedication of members and volunteers like you who serve IUCN so skillfully and faithfully even during these difficult times.
Over the past year, I have had the pleasure of meeting you during your regularly scheduled committee meetings, as well as extraordinary meetings as both groups and individuals. These have taught me so much about IUCN, including its strengths and weaknesses, as well as its challenges and opportunities. In the short time we have leading up to this most unusual of congresses, I would like to reach out to you to offer my time for catch up meetings or discussions about any ongoing or recent issues or concerns.
Please visit my website to read an overview of the many activities in which I have been engaged, particularly the editorials I have written and the events in which I have participated. Although these will give you a good understanding of my positions on nature conservation and IUCN leadership, none will substitute for meeting you, your colleagues and/or your fellow regional/national committee members. I am committed to meeting as many of you as possible during the months leading up to the Congress and during the conference itself. Should you be interested, please do not hesitate to get in touch with me directly.
Sincerely,
Razan Al Mubarak
Candidate for IUCN President
Managing Director of Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund