Amidst the strategic dialogues of Climate Week NYC, the United Arab Emirates and Ghana achieved a significant milestone in international cooperation for climate and biodiversity, solidifying their commitment through a $30 million partnership aimed at supporting Ghana's ambitious biodiversity and climate goals.

This agreement, formalized by H.E. Dr. Amna bint Abdullah Al Dahak, UAE Minister of Climate Change and the Environment, and Hon. Samuel A. Jinapor, Ghana’s Minister of Lands and Natural Resources, reinforces both nations’ commitment to addressing biodiversity and climate goals through nature-based solutions.

The partnership aims to foster biodiversity corridors, reforestation, and agroecology, while prioritizing gender equality and youth empowerment.

Ms. Al Mubarak, who is UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, helped facilitate the signing of the agreement, saying:

“This partnership serves as a shining example of how nations can work together to achieve shared climate and biodiversity goals, creating a sustainable and resilient future for all.”

This milestone is part of the UAE’s broader commitment under the UAE Consensus, introduced at COP28 UAE, to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030. Ms. Al Mubarak expressed her excitement about the transformative potential of this partnership, not only for the UAE and Ghana but also for the global community.

As part of this collaboration, the initial projects will be detailed at COP29 Azerbaijan, setting a benchmark for successful, cooperative climate action.

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Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, co-hosted Climate Week NYC’s major event  “Indigenous Peoples Direct Access to Finance from COP28 to COP30.”

Alongside fellow High-Level Champion Nigar Arpadarai and Minister Sonia Guajajara of Brazil, Ms. Al Mubarak moderated a panel that delved into how Indigenous communities, which steward a quarter of Earth’s terrestrial surface and over one-third of its intact forests, currently receive less than 1% of global climate finance despite their vital role in conservation:

“Billions of dollars have been promised to support Indigenous communities, but funding is not flowing fast or far enough. It's encouraging, however, to see a growing coalition of organizations committed to enhancing financial flows to Indigenous Peoples.”

During the Climate Week NYC event, representatives from forest groups, Indigenous organizations, multilateral development funds, and businesses gathered to review progress on facilitating direct finance and plan the next steps. Ms. Al Mubarak emphasized the urgency of accelerating financial mechanisms that empower Indigenous Peoples to lead climate action, highlighting their critical role in protecting biodiversity and promoting sustainable development.

Additionally, special thanks were extended to partners, including Brazil’s COP30 presidency, the International Indigenous Peoples’ Forum on Climate Change (IIPFCC), and The Christensen Fund, for their collaboration in driving forward this crucial dialogue.

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During the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the “High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy” launched the “100% Alliance,” a new initiative urging all coastal and ocean states to commit to the sustainable management of all ocean areas under national jurisdiction. The United Arab Emirates joins the Ocean Panel as its 19th member and the first from the MENA region and was invited on the basis of its climate and biodiversity leadership.

The Ocean Panel is a unique global initiative, mobilizing political leadership and driving action towards a sustainable ocean economy. Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, was named the UAE’s Sherpa and High-Level Representative to the Ocean Panel. She stated:

To truly succeed, we must align and integrate efforts across key global frameworks, such as the Global Biodiversity Framework, the SDGs, and the Paris Agreement’s. This synergy will unlock critical benefits for biodiversity, climate resilience and long-term economic prosperity.

As a new member of the Ocean Panel, the UAE is tasked with drafting and implementing a Sustainable Ocean Plan that may encompass marine spatial planning, integrated coastal management, the establishment of marine protected areas, and targeted investments in emerging ocean sectors to promote both the protection of biodiversity and the sustainable use of ocean resources for future generations.

As the UAE’s Sherpa and High-Level Representative to the Ocean Panel, Ms. Al Mubarak will work alongside distinguished global leaders to ensure the success of this ambitious initiative:

“A healthy ocean is key to sustaining life on our blue planet. It is the world's largest ecosystem, regulates the climate, and supplies valuable resources. Sustainable management involves a host of measures to protect and support biodiversity but also to promote sustainable use of the ocean and create value for current and future generations.”

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During Climate Week NYC, IUCN played a key role in the effort to integrate ecosystem preservation into our broader climate goals. On Tuesday, Razan Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, joined Director General Grethel Aguilar for the “Annual Meeting of the Patrons of Nature,” an initiative that has rallied global leaders to support nature conservation since 2010. The group welcomed Patricia Ricard, President of the Oceanographic Institute Paul Ricard, as a new Patron of Nature.

Other important IUCN events this week included a discussion about sustainable land use in “Indonesia: Celebrating a Decade of Reduced Deforestation” and “The Polar Initiative: Beyond the Ice” about the worldwide impacts of arctic extremes.

Ms. Al Mubarak stated:

“Mutual support across disciplines and institutions like IUCN, COP28 UAE and now COP29 Azerbaijan and COP16 Colombia will be fundamental to advance nature-based solutions. We must keep advocating in their favor against the planetary crisis of biodiversity loss and climate change.”

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At Climate Week NYC, Razan Al Mubarak delivered the opening remarks at the UNEZA (Utilities for Net Zero Alliance) event “Accelerating Large Energy Grid Projects”, where 39 partners, including 32 of the world’s leading utilities and energy companies, committed to investing over US $116 billion annually in clean power generation and grid infrastructure to accelerate net zero targets in the power sector.

Launched at COP28 UAE, UNEZA serves over 315 million customers globally and aims to significantly expand and modernize grid systems, with 48% of the investments targeting transmission and distribution. This initiative marks a pivotal step in accelerating our decarbonization journey and transforming our power systems.

Ms. Al Mubarak, who is UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP28 UAE, stated:

“The time to act is now. The key to unlocking the utility sector’s energy transition potential lies in the ability to target structural, regulatory, and financial challenges. We are grateful to the members and partners who work proactively to address these barriers through global cooperation. It is imperative that protecting nature and biodiversity be integral to this transition.”

Ms. Al Mubarak also participated in "Global Renewables Summit: Strengthening Resilient and Diverse Supply Chains for Renewable Energy,” a high-profile discussion about the role of underrepresented regions in renewable energy supply chains and how they can contribute to tripling global renewable energy capacity.

The event was organized by the International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) and GRA, along with the COP28 UAE and COP29 Azerbaijan presidencies.

Razan Al Mubarak kicked off Climate Week NYC with the flagship event “Capital Mobilization for Nature: Towards a Nature Positive Economy,” a fireside chat with Mary Schapiro, Vice-Chair of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero (GFANZ) and Cristina Reis, Vice Secretary of Economic Development and Sustainability, Brazil.

At the event, the High-Level Climate Champions, along with Capital for Climate and IFACC Initiative (Innovative Finance for the Amazon, Cerrado and Chaco) launched a report titled “Scaling Nature Finance Now: The Opportunity for Investors in Brazil and Beyond.” The report demonstrates the economic opportunity of nature-based solutions like reforestation and investing in Indigenous Peoples, which can generate significant economic returns and mitigate a third of global emissions.

Ms. Al Mubarak, who is UN High-Level Climate Champion for COP28 UAE, stated:

“Investment in such solutions still needs to double by 2030 and triple by 2050. The good news is that sustainable agriculture and other nature-based solutions are proving profitable and scalable today, and have the potential to create over 390 million jobs by 2030.”

Now is the moment to scale nature finance. Read the full report for practical insights into the investment opportunity and what’s needed to unlock the next phase of growth.