Razan Al Mubarak Calls for Follow Through at the United Nations Ocean Conference

United Nations Ocean Conference

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), joined the third United Nations Ocean Conference (UNOC3), held June 5 through 9 in Nice, France:

“We met at a decisive moment — just five years remain to achieve the 30x30 target, our global safety net. We know enough to act. Restoring marine ecosystems is not a crisis of knowledge, but of implementation and follow-through.”

UNOC3 is building momentum toward the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi and COP30 Brazil, underscoring the need for an ambitious plan of action for a healthy, sustainable, and productive ocean — and showing that oceans are as much about nature and biodiversity as they are about climate and people.

1️⃣ At the Opening Plenary, President Emmanuel Macron of France stressed the need to revitalize multilateralism, declaring “the ocean is not for sale.” President Rodrigo Chaves Robles of Costa Rica said “the ocean speaks to us through bleached coral reefs and wounded mangroves,” and President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva stated, “it’s impossible to speak of sustainable development without including the oceans.”

2️⃣ Ms. Al Mubarak joined the opening Ocean Action panel, “Conserving, sustainably managing and restoring marine and coastal ecosystems including deep-sea ecosystems,” alongside Inger Andersen (UNEP), Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (WTO), and Marc Benioff (Salesforce), co-chaired by Marina Silva (Brazil) and Stavros Papastavrou (Greece).

3️⃣ As President of IUCN, Ms. Al Mubarak gave opening remarks at “Accelerating Partnerships and Action for Effective and Equitable Ocean Protection.” The event launched the 30x30 Ocean Action Plan: a roadmap to protect 30% of the ocean by 2030 through concrete action, innovative finance, and recognition of Indigenous leadership.

4️⃣ Ms. Al Mubrak also attended the “Making Waves from Paris to Belém” dialogue, convened by Brazil and the Ocean Breakthroughs team, where conversation reflected on a decade of ocean-climate action and urged countries to integrate ocean solutions into their Nationally Determined Contributions ahead of COP30 Brazil.

5️⃣ Ms. Al Mubarak chaired an informal consultation with non-state actors to carry outcomes from UNOC to the IUCN World Conservation Congress and COP30. This dialogue defined key deliverables and goals, weaving a “blue thread” of ambition across all three milestones.

6️⃣ At the Ocean Panel Reception, attendees celebrated ocean success stories with leaders including Surangel Whipps Jr., President of Palau, and H.R.H. Haakon, Crown Prince of Norway, reaffirming shared commitment.

From Nice to Abu Dhabi to Belém, the mission is clear: center the ocean in global climate and biodiversity solutions — not just in words, but in decisions, budgets, and real-world action:

“The urgency could not be greater. It is now or never. Let’s keep pushing forward — with science, solidarity, and shared purpose."

Razan Al Mubarak Advocates for Transformative Action on World Oceans Day

World Oceans Day

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN and Managing Director of the MBZ Species Conservation Fund, shared a powerful message advocating for action on World Oceans Day:

“As IUCN president, I’m deeply honored to address you on World Oceans Day.

We are at a pivotal moment for our ocean, the Blue Economy and Finance Forum, and the third U.N. Ocean Conference serve as critical platforms for progress to advance SDG 14: Life Below Water.

Our ocean faces growing challenges: climate change, biodiversity loss and an unsustainable rate of exploitation.

But this moment also presents an extraordinary opportunity for true transformative actions.

We must mobilize the financial sector, philanthropy and public-private partnerships. And IUCN is advancing all those solutions. We set global conservation standards and unlock private investment for marine resilience. Yet our work is far from over.

We must scale successful models and empower local communities and Indigenous Peoples as key stewards of marine ecosystems. During the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, you'll have the opportunity to see the UAE's advanced research vessel Jaywun. The ship represents the UAE’s steadfast commitment to marine conservation and ocean science.

So let us commit to action not just for today, but for the generations to come.”

Razan Al Mubarak Highlights Link Between Community and Conservation

World Environment Day

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN and Managing Director of the MBZ Species Conservation Fund, reflects on the importance of community for World Environment Day:

“Community begins with place. Across our diverse world, human identities and social bonds have always been shaped by the environments we inhabit.

On this World Environment Day, I want to highlight that community is not merely about human connections—it is about the intricate web of relationships that sustain us all.

In the UAE, we have designated 2025 as our "Year of Community" —a celebration that recognizes our strongest communities are those that acknowledge their dependence on, and responsibility to, the natural world.

This connection between community and conservation transcends borders. When ecosystems thrive, communities thrive. Healthy coral reefs ensure food security. Mangroves protect coastal villages. Thriving forests preserve biodiversity and indigenous knowledge.

Through my work with the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, I've witnessed firsthand how small grants to conservationists in 170 countries have protected thousands of species while supporting local communities who depend on these ecosystems.

The upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi represents a critical moment for us all—a chance to strengthen the links between biodiversity protection and community wellbeing.

When we protect nature, we don't just preserve the past—we create possibilities for the future. The wellbeing of our communities and the health of our planet are truly one and the same.

Happy World Environment Day.”

IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak Meets with IUCN Regional Leaders in West Asia

IUCN


On 2 June 2025, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), visited the IUCN Regional Office for West Asia (ROWA) in Amman, Jordan, to engage directly with members, partners, and staff from across the region.

The visit included meetings with Dr. Hany El Shaer, Regional Director of IUCN ROWA; HRH Princess Basma bint Ali, a long-standing champion of environmental stewardship in Jordan and the founder of the Royal Botanic Garden; and H.E. Dr. Muawiya Radaideh, Minister of Environment of Jordan. President Al Mubarak also held a roundtable with national committee chairs representing Jordan, Lebanon, Palestine, Kuwait, and the UAE.

Discussions focused on regional priorities for the upcoming IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, the importance of inclusive governance, and the need for a stronger collective voice from West Asia. Topics ranged from strengthening institutional capacity to exploring how conservation can contribute to broader resilience and stability across the region.

The visit reaffirmed the importance of ROWA’s role in supporting both government agencies and civil society organizations, and underscored IUCN’s commitment to building a shared regional vision. That vision—grounded in science, collaboration, and real-world impact—will be brought forward at the Congress in October.