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In an editorial published in The National, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, emphasized the significant role that cities play in addressing global climate change. She highlighted findings from a recent study unveiled at the Bonn Climate Change Conference, which showed that despite their contributions to greenhouse gas emissions,…

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak addressed global urban leaders through a pre-recorded message at the ICLEI World Congress 2024, emphasizing the critical role of cities in addressing climate change. Cities are responsible for the majority of greenhouse gas emissions and energy consumption, placing them at the center of climate action strategies. At the congress, Razan highlighted…

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP 28, recently featured on Badr Jafar's podcast, "The Business of Philanthropy." During the insightful discussion, she emphasized the transformative role of philanthropy in addressing complex global challenges, particularly in climate change and biodiversity…

Dubai, June 12, 2024 – The Dubai Turtle Rehabilitation Project (DTRP) celebrated its 20th anniversary with the release of 63 rehabilitated turtles back into the ocean. This event marks a significant commitment to marine life and emphasizes the role of corporate responsibility and multilevel partnerships in environmental care. The celebration included a panel discussion featuring…

At the second annual MENA Oceans Summit in Dubai, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion and President of IUCN, emphasized the essential role of oceans in sustaining environmental health and climate resilience. The summit convened key leaders to push forward ocean conservation efforts in the Middle East and North Africa. In her…

In a recent editorial published in The National on June 7th, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 and President of IUCN, highlighted the vital role of oceans in combating climate change. She emphasized, "The ocean is truly the 'lungs' of the earth, absorbing a quarter of all carbon dioxide emissions…

On World Oceans Day, we recognize the profound significance of the oceans in our global climate system and their essential role in sustaining life on Earth. Covering over 70% of our planet’s surface, oceans are pivotal in regulating the global climate and supporting biodiversity. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28…

On World Environment Day at the Bonn Climate Conference, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, emphasized the urgency of nature conservation and restoration in her speech at the Bonn Climate Conference. Highlighting the necessity of an equitable, net-zero, and nature-positive future, she underscored the foundational role of the UAE…

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak recently published a compelling editorial on the World Economic Forum website in observance of World Environment Day. In her article, Ms. Al Mubarak discusses the ecological and economic imperatives of investing in natural capital, highlighting the crucial role such investments play in sustainable development. The editorial reviews the strides made at…

World Environment Day draws global attention to the pressing issues of land restoration, desertification, and drought resilience, underscoring their critical impact on ecosystems and human welfare. About a quarter of the Earth’s surface is degraded, affecting over a billion people worldwide. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 and President of…

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates (3 June 2024) - Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, is campaigning for an equitable, net-zero, resilient and nature-positive world at the Bonn Climate Change Conference this week. The ten-day event which starts in the German city today is an important halfway…

On the International Day for Biological Diversity, Razan Al Mubarak, IUCN President and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, emphasized the interconnectedness of biodiversity and climate change in her recent editorial in The National. Highlighting the critical role of ecosystems in providing essential services, from pollination and water filtration to carbon storage, she calls…

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the IUCN and UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, shared a recorded message with participants at the inaugural Brazil Climate Investment Summit. Her remarks underscored the urgent need to accelerate investment in nature-based solutions (NbS) to address the interconnected crises of climate change and biodiversity loss. In her address,…

In recognition of the International Day for Biological Diversity, Razan Al Mubarak delivered a powerful message underscoring the importance of global collaboration to protect our planet's biodiversity. As President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature and the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, she highlighted the significance of the day's theme, "Be…

This week, Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), is leading the 111th IUCN Council Meeting in Gland, Switzerland. The meeting focuses on critical strategic initiatives that will shape the future of conservation efforts globally. In collaboration with IUCN members, the council is discussing the IUCN’s 20-year strategic vision,…

During the inaugural World Species Congress, Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), delivered an inspiring address to a global audience of policymakers, scientists, and conservationists. She underscored the significance of uniting to tackle biodiversity loss through the ambitious Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. Ms. Al Mubarak emphasized the Species…

In their recent editorial published in Project Syndicate, Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and Joseph Nganga, Interim CEO of the Global Energy Alliance for People and Planet, discuss the transformative power of clean cooking technologies. With the IEA’s Africa Clean Cooking Summit in Paris concluded in May…

His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the UAE, has generously contributed US$40 million to the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund. This contribution will raise the Fund's endowment to over US$70 million by 2028, highlighting the UAE's firm dedication to global biodiversity conservation. Founded in 2009 by His Highness, the Fund…

In her recent editorial for The National on Earth Day and International Mother Earth Day, Razan Al Mubarak emphasized the need to prioritize nature in global climate action. Drawing on the outcomes of COP28, she underscored the importance of a unified, nature-centric approach to meet the ambitious goals set during the conference. Al Mubarak highlighted…

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High Level Champion for COP28, shared her thoughts on how cities can contribute to solving the climate challenge during an appearance at the Sustainable Cities in Action Forum 2024. Held on 5 March at Expo City Dubai, the event brought under one roof urban planners, architects, city…

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, has given a keynote address on 3 March 2024 at the Culture Summit Abu Dhabi. In her speech, Ms. Al Mubarak, who is also President of the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, reflected on the theme of the annual global cultural…

In a recent piece written on the occasion of the Cultural Summit 2024, held in Abu Dhabi, H. E. Razan Al Mubarak reflected on the role of cultural institutions in shifting public perceptions on climate and nature and boosting actions to address climate change and biodiversity loss. Ms. Al Mubarak, who is President of the…

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak is featured in Time Magazine's “5 Ideas for Rebuilding Trust in 2024”, where she called to rebuild trust in nature’s ability to help us achieve our climate goals. Ms. Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of  Nature, mentioned the importance of understanding bio­diversity loss and climate change as…

In an op-ed for Context News, Razan Al Mubarak discusses the importance of including women and girls in climate talks and efforts, highlighting both their impact on daily practices and the lack of representation at the decision making nexus: “Women, as the main users and producers of household energy, are more likely to be energy-efficient…

H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, advocated for nature and the inclusion of women and indigenous communities at the UN Climate Change Conference that took place in Dubai, UAE from 30 November to 13 December 2023. During the COP28 World Climate Action Summit Presidency event, Ms. Al Mubarak announced initial…

In an op-ed for the World Economic Forum, Razan Al Mubarak discussed the reality of the current climate crisis and its connection to the food crisis, as well as four strategies to address this challenge.  Ms. Al Mubarak described the unequal conditions that the current food system has created: “This broken food system is creating…

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, and Mahmoud Mohieldin - UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP27 in Egypt - recently co-wrote an op-ed for SustainableViews discussing the collective shift necessary to achieve greater climate stability, security, and equality. The High-Level Champions address the Paris Agreement’s 1.5˚C target, acknowledging how far…

During the Global Conference on Gender and Environmental Data held on November 28 in Abu Dhabi, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, highlighted the need for gender equality and wider support for female leadership in climate action. The two day-conference, which preceded COP28 in the UAE, was organized by the Offices…

Today, on the 75th Anniversary of the founding of IUCN, Razan Al Mubarak commemorated the organization and led its 110th Council Meeting in the Chateau of Fontainebleau, France, where the International Union for the Conservation of Nature was formally established. In a heartfelt retrospective of the organization’s journey,  Ms. Al Mubarak highlighted its growth throughout…

In a recent interview for Newsweek, Razan Al Mubarak discussed the centrality of nature-based solutions in tackling the climate crisis, and her ambitions ahead of COP28 - now less than a month away. As President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Ms. Al Mubarak focused on the importance of nature as one…

In a recent interview for Eco-Business, Razan Al Mubarak discussed the work of COP28 to guarantee diverse and inclusive climate negotiations, the power of nature-based solutions to combat climate change, and other priorities ahead of COP28 in the UAE later this year. As UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, one of Ms. Al Mubarak’s…

At the recent IUCN Leaders Forum in Geneva, Switzerland, IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak announced an ambitious global marine conservation and climate action initiative – The Ocean Breakthroughs. Developed by the Marrakech Partnership for Global Climate Action and with the support of the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, The Ocean Breakthroughs presents specific targets spanning…

Razan Al Mubarak shared a message to mark her second anniversary as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). In her speech, she highlighted the importance of inclusion to solve the current climate crisis. “One of the cornerstones of our work for the last two years has been a focus on inclusion.…

At MENA Climate Week in Riyadh, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 Razan Al Mubarak announced support to advance women’s representation and gender parity at the upcoming climate summit in the United Arab Emirates. During a “Gender and Climate Change in the Middle East” event at MENA Climate Week, Ms. Al Mubarak touched on…

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, announced plans to ensure indigenous communities have their voices heard at the crucial climate talks, underlining the importance of inclusion for the Conference which will take place later this year in the United Arab Emirates. Ms. Al Mubarak, who is also President of the International…

During Climate Week NYC, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 Razan Al Mubarak advocated for Nature-based Solutions and other urgent actions that tackle climate change and nature loss simultaneously, and she reaffirmed the need to include indigenous peoples and women in climate talks. Despite many countries setting goals to limit greenhouse emissions, the world…

Razan Al Mubarak has written an op-ed for ImpactAlpha, reflecting on a term that is becoming increasingly prominent in the discourse on climate change: “nature-based solutions.” These are actions meant to protect, sustainably use, manage, and restore natural or modified ecosystems.  As UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, Ms. Al Mubarak said these solutions…

At Africa Climate Week, Mrs. Razan Al Mubarak took part in climate talks about the preservation of Africa’s diverse ecosystems — ranging from marine and coastal areas to vast terrestrial landscapes — as the world transitions to renewable energy solutions. Mrs. Al Mubarak said: “Africa's incredible biodiversity is not just a testament to the continent's…

Today, on the occasion of Emirati Women’s Day, Razan al Mubarak published an op-ed in The National addressing the significance of women’s contributions to Emirati society. Women are not merely central to the fields of conservation and climate change; they are integral pillars across all sectors of society, whether as scientists, creatives, leaders, or mothers.…

At the Amazon Cooperation Treaty Organization (ACTO) Summit in Belem, Brazil, Razan Al Mubarak was part of the COP28 Presidency delegation that engaged heads of state, ministers, governors, and leaders of Indigenous communities in climate talks leading up to COP28.  The ACTO Summit was expected to yield an ambitious policy on protecting the world’s largest…

In advance of a watershed meeting of the International Maritime Organization (IMO) conference in London next week, Razan Al Mubarak wrote an op-ed for Context calling on the maritime shipping industry to significantly cut carbon emissions over the next five years while also prioritizing a just transition to green fuels that will benefit developing countries. …

During London Climate Action Week, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, advocated for a nature-positive economy and called on businesses to step up climate mitigation and adaptation efforts and to include nature-based solutions in their climate transition plans. At the flagship event “The Race is On: Net Zero & Nature Positive…

Ahead of London Climate Action Week, Razan Al Mubarak penned an op-ed for Economist Impact on the need to put nature-positive solutions higher on the global agenda. As UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, Ms. Al Mubarak said: “In the race to tackle climate change and adapt and build resilience to its impacts, there…

Razan Al Mubarak urged decisive climate action by the private sector, local governments and civil society at the Bonn Climate Change Conference this week. Held from 5-15 June, the event is part of the formal United Nations negotiations on climate and marks an important stop on the road to the UN Climate Change Conference (COP28)…

Razan Al Mubarak, UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP28, highlighted the importance of collective climate action among non-state actors including businesses, cities, financial institutions, civil society, and academia. The event, titled “Road to COP28: Driving Collective Action in the UAE,” was hosted by the High-Level Champions and the Dubai Chamber, with support from the COP28…

Razan Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), convened the 109th IUCN Council Meeting held in Gland, Switzerland on 23 May 2023. Ms. Al Mubarak, who has been at the forefront of important environmental initiatives, is the second woman and the first representative from the Arab world to lead the…

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, called on the youth to “step forward and make a difference” during her commencement address at NYU Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates. Read a summarized version of Ms. Al Mubarak’s speech below or watch the full speech on YouTube. “Your Highness, ladies and…

Hello friends and hello colleagues, Today marks the International Day for Biological Diversity, reminding us of the urgent need to take action to stop the loss of biodiversity, which is one of the most significant crises that we face. The planet is losing over 10,000 species each year, which is 1,000 times faster than the historical baseline. However, when we talk about the…

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, and President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), urged for greater inclusion of Indigenous peoples as “full partners in decision-making that affect their lands, health, resources and way of life” at the 22nd Session of the United Nations Permanent Forum on Indigenous…

Dear friends, dear colleagues. Today is International Mother Earth Day. “Mother Earth.” The name gives me pause. As climate change and biodiversity loss threaten the planet that we call our home, who will come to her protection? I am personally inspired by the many indigenous communities around the world who are finely attuned to their…

To mark International Mother Earth Day 2023, Razan Al Mubarak penned an op-ed for Ms. Magazine in which she acknowledged an important ethos of Indigenous Peoples, one that values a symbiotic relationship between all living things and the planet we share. Ms. Al Mubarak said: “As we battle the twin threats of climate change and…

This last month, Muslims, Christians, and Jews the world over have celebrated Ramadan, Easter, and Passover simultaneously – something that only happens about once every thirty years. In an op-ed for Arabian Business, Ms. Al Mubarak said: “This period of collective spiritual introspection is a powerful reminder of a central tenet of all religions: compassion…

Dear friends, dear colleagues, Eid Mubarak! As we bid Ramadan farewell and begin to celebrate Eid al-Fitr, I wanted to share a short reflection with you about what made this Ramadan special to me. This past holiday season, Muslims, Christians and Jews observed Ramadan, Easter and Passover simultaneously, something that only happens about once every…

Dear friends,  Last week, I had the privilege of traveling to Japan to meet with members of the Japan National Committee of IUCN, where we discussed upcoming priorities and opportunities for further Union engagement.  What left an impression during these discussions was the famed hospitality of our hosts and the idyllic location of our meeting:…

In an interview with Quartz Africa, Razan Al Mubarak spoke about a range of issues related to the devastating impact of climate change on women. Ms. Al Mubarak said: “Women are less likely to survive climate-related disasters due to existing gender inequalities, which can create disparities in information and mobility. Further, women have much more…

To mark International Women’s Day 2023, IUCN’s first female president from the Arab world Razan Al Mubarak penned an op-ed for POLITICO calling for women’s voices to be heard, included, and celebrated. In the op-ed, Ms. Al Mubarak highlights the diverse range of experiences that women around the world face as they deal with the…

Dear friends and dear colleagues, I wanted to take this opportunity — on International Women’s Day — to say a few words about the importance of representation. Today – and every day – the best way to celebrate women is not only to include and elevate their voices, but to nurture them as leaders. We…

“This is the decade in which we must reverse biodiversity loss, slash emissions, address resilience, advance equity, and we must do this all simultaneously,” asserted Razan Al Mubarak, speaking at the sixth-annual One Forest Summit today. Protection of tropical rainforests took center stage at the two-day conference, attended by French President Emmanuel Macron, Gabon President…

Women and girls face the greatest impacts of climate change. However, they should not be seen as victims but instead as agents of change and decision makers, according to Razan Al Mubarak, speaking at this year’s World Government Summit in Dubai. Ms. Al Mubarak joined Egypt’s Minister of Environment Yasmin Fouad and Maldives Minister of State…

On January 18-20, 2023, IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak hosted nearly 100 IUCN Council members, staff, and expert volunteer conservationists from around the world for the 108th IUCN Council Meeting in Abu Dhabi. The meeting took place just one month after the historic Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, where nations pledged to halt and reverse biodiversity…