During COP16 Colombia, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 Razan Al Mubarak joined the “Securing the Future of Mangroves” event, which focused on showcasing the Mangrove Breakthrough initiative launched last year at COP28 UAE. In her closing remarks, she highlighted the progress and goals driving forward, underscoring the interconnectedness of nature and climate action.

Additionally, Ms. Al Mubarak had a meeting with HE Ibrahim Thiaw, UNCCD Secretary General and former Acting Director General of IUCN. It was a friendly and enriching discussion on shared priorities for advancing global biodiversity and land restoration efforts.

In a high-level dialogue with regional non-state actors, Ms. Al Mubarak highlighted her main priorities for the Cali-Baku-Belem discussions through a keynote address. Additionally, the two high-level thematic ministerial dialogues hosted by the CBD Secretariat were also key events of the day. Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to attend: “Urgent Action for Implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework” and “Sustainable Finance, Financial System Reform, and Global Responsibility to Biodiversity.”

Minister Susana Mohamed extended an invitation to Ms. Al Mubarak to moderate the High-Level Thematic Ministerial Dialogue: “Synergies between biodiversity and climate change from science to action,” a key priority for Colombia. This event builds on the roundtable co-hosted alongside Minister Muhamad during UNGA and sets the stage for a similar discussion at COP29 Azerbaijan on Biodiversity Day. It also contributes to the Rio synergies agenda initiated by Colombia, Azerbaijan, and Saudi Arabia, ahead of COP16’s final negotiations where important decisions on ‘climate change and biodiversity’ and ‘cooperation with international organizations are anticipated.

Commitment to advancing biodiversity and sustainable development goals is a must, as COP29 Azerbaijan approaches.

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Nature and climate are undeniably intertwined, and as COP16 Colombia is currently underway in Cali, we must address these twin crises together. In a recent editorial in Economist Impact with Johan Rockström, Razan Al Mubarak emphasizes that there is no net zero without nature. 

As our greatest ally in mitigating climate change, nature has absorbed 90% of the excess heat generated by human activity and 50% of our CO2 emissions. But its resilience is waning, with oceans breaking temperature records and forests transitioning from carbon sinks to sources.

We are at a pivotal moment of both risk and opportunity. By 2030, protecting nature could provide a third of cost-effective decarbonization solutions, create 395 million jobs, and unlock $10 trillion in annual business opportunities. The time to act is now.

As discussions continue in Cali and with COP29 Azerbaijan approaching in Baku, we must ensure the promises made for biodiversity protection and climate action turn into tangible, financed plans. Success will only be achieved through collective action, mobilizing communities, policymakers, businesses, and scientists toward safeguarding our planet’s health.

Together, we can achieve a nature-positive future—one that balances human prosperity with the preservation of our natural world. 

Read the full editorial here.

At COP16 Colombia, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, had the honor of sharing the opening remarks at the “Linking Sustainable Ocean Plans (SOPs) with the Global Biodiversity Framework” event, organized by CAF, WRI, Ocean Action 2030, High Level Panel and World Economic Forum. This session underscored the critical connections between Ocean Health and Climate Action, key factors in building a resilient future. Additionally, she announced the 100% Alliance and launched the New Blue Paper on Indigenous and Traditional Knowledge in Sustainable Ocean Practices, on behalf of the Ocean Panel, in her role as the UAE President’s Sherpa.

Ms. Al Mubarak also joined the “Ministerial Event on Leaders Protecting Forests” discussing synergies between the Rio Conventions and Financing Forests, including initiatives such as the Tropical Forest Finance Facility, Country Packages, and Debt-for-Nature Instruments. The TFFF High-Level Dialogue brought together key ministers including Colombia’s Susana Muhamed and Brazil’s Marina Silva. This historic ambition announced by President Lula at COP28 UAE started as an incredible dream and Ms. Al Mubarak is delighted to see it become a reality. Business as usual approaches to financing ecosystem services are not sufficient and must be disrupted. TFFF is an audacious response to this: an approach that not only values standing forests for their ability to store carbon, but also on their ability to provide ecosystem services, and support lives and livelihoods and simultaneously address the need for long term finance flows for their protection in perpetuity.

Finally, Ms. Al Mubarak addressed the IP Caucus IIFB (International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity), where she expressed support for the establishment of an Indigenous Peoples’ subsidiary body and a joint work programme under Article 8J. Ms. Al Mubarak reaffirmed her strong advocacy for Indigenous Peoples’ rights and direct access to finance for conservation initiatives.

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Kicking off the second week at COP16 in Colombia, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, deepens her commitment to ocean and nature conservation, emphasizing the importance of scaling both private and public finance, and championing the critical role of Nature-Based Solutions for a sustainable future.

Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to deliver the opening remarks at the 'High-Level Opening of Ocean Day' organized by the CBD Secretariat. Attendees discussed the need for a synergistic approach to sustainable ocean economies and called for radical collaboration across society to tackle the complex nexus of ocean, nature, climate, and development.

She also had the privilege of meeting with Mayor Alejandro Eder of Cali, a city notable for its rich biodiversity, the highest per square meter in Colombia. Their conversation underscored the importance of local leadership in global conservation efforts.

At the 'Urban Nature Program’s Mayors’ Leadership Forum,' Ms. Al Mubarak launched an urban nature call to action, building on the momentum from COP28 UAE. This session, co-hosted by the Africa Natural Capital Alliance, Centro Científico Tropical, and IUCN, also featured a special keynote showcasing the Nature Positive for Climate Action campaign.

As IUCN President, Ms. Al Mubarak welcomed attendees to the 'Gender Equality for Climate and Conservation Solutions' event, where they engaged in productive discussions on integrating gender equality into conservation efforts, aligned with Target 23 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Looking ahead to Monday, Ms. Al Mubarak shares her excitement for a day filled with discussions at the CBD IPLC Caucus, exploring linkages between Sustainable Ocean Plans and the Global Biodiversity Framework, and strategizing with IUCN Framework Partners on advancing conservation goals.

Together, these events reflect an unwavering commitment to integrating ocean and nature conservation with social equity for a better future for all.

Follow Razan’s activity at COP16 Colombia.