Razan Al Mubarak Writes About the Difficult Truth of Marine Protected Areas in New Op-ed for Economist Impact

Economist Impact

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, recently authored an op-ed for Economist Impact Beyond the Surface reflecting on the importance of effectively managed Marine Protected Areas.

“The ocean is in crisis. In response, governments have turned to Marine Protected Areas (MPAs). But here is the uncomfortable truth: much of this protection exists only on paper. When new MPAs are announced, headlines celebrate percentages — politically attractive numbers, easy to communicate and visually impressive on a map.

But quantity is not quality.

Consider the reality. Some of the largest MPAs — vast stretches of open ocean — have no staff, no monitoring and no enforcement, while coastal waters where biodiversity is most vulnerable remain unprotected or poorly managed.

As President of IUCN, I believe the next frontier of ocean protection is not drawing more MPAs but making existing ones work. IUCN has been at the forefront of developing tools and standards to make protection real. Our Protected Area Management Categories, ranging from strict reserves to sustainable-use areas, clarify what kind of protection an MPA offers.

Closing the gap between promise and performance is possible.

We believe that success means shifting attention from political signalling to lasting impact. Through collective action, we have the chance to make 30x30 more than a slogan. Because in the end, success will not be measured by how the map looks, but whether the ocean thrives.”

Read the full article on Economist Impact Beyond The Surface.

Razan Al Mubarak Re-elected President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature

IUCN Presidency

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), has been re-elected for a second term at the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates.

Ms. Al Mubarak is the first president from West Asia and the second woman to lead IUCN in its 77-year history.

Ms. Al Mubarak’s re-election was announced today at the IUCN Members’ Assembly, following a four-year term marked by strengthened governance, renewed trust, and the elevation of nature within global climate and biodiversity agendas. A majority of IUCN’s more than 1,400 Member organisations, representing 160 countries, confirmed their confidence in Ms. Al Mubarak to continue leading the Union through this decisive decade for nature.

Ms. Al Mubarak said of her re-election as President of IUCN:

“I am truly honoured to have been re-elected President of the IUCN, especially at a moment when nature, climate, and people must be brought together in action. Over the past four years, I have witnessed the extraordinary strength of our Union — our Members, Commissions, and partners — working together across boundaries and disciplines. I remain profoundly grateful for the support of the UAE leadership and its institutions, whose belief in conservation has inspired my own. This new mandate is both a privilege and a responsibility — to continue turning ambition into action for nature and for humanity.”

The world's oldest and largest global environmental network, IUCN is a democratic membership union that harnesses the world’s most influential organisations and experts to conserve nature and accelerate a global transition to sustainable use of natural resources. Composed of more than 19,000 conservation experts and 1,400 Member organisations, including States, government agencies, subnational goverments, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples’ organisations, IUCN is considered the global authority on conservation. 

Her re-election comes as IUCN launches a new four-year Programme of Work — the final one before the global biodiversity, climate, and land restoration targets are due in 2030. Under Ms. Al Mubarak’s leadership, the Union will work to deliver on its 20-year Vision, turning ambition into measurable outcomes and ensuring that IUCN continues to guide collective action for nature, climate, and people worldwide.

His Excellency Mohamed Al Bowardi, Deputy Chairman of the MBZ Fund and UAE Minister of State, stated the following:

“Thanks to her passionate, innovative, and decisive leadership, the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund has become a global model, showing that small but focused interventions on the ground can make a big difference in saving species. We know that she will continue to bring this same sense of commitment, creativity, and collaboration to IUCN as it sets the global agenda for this crucial decade for conservation.”

Ms. Al Mubarak began her career in conservation in 2001 when she helped to establish Emirates Nature – WWF, an NGO associated with the World Wide Fund for Nature. At Emirates Nature – WWF, she spearheaded initiatives to protect the UAE’s coral, conducted research leading to the establishment of the country’s first mountain national park, and created the framework to protect nesting and migrating sea turtles.

In 2010, Ms. Al Mubarak became the youngest person to lead an Abu Dhabi government entity with her appointment as Secretary-General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), an organisation for which she now serves as Managing Director. In her role leading a government agency of over 1,000 employees, EAD was instrumental in the successful reintroductions of the Arabian Oryx in the UAE and the Scimitar-horned Oryx in Chad.

Ms. Al Mubarak has helped build the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund (MBZ Fund) into one of the world's largest philanthropic endowments supporting direct species conservation. Since its inception in 2009, the Fund has supported more than 3,100 projects worldwide, contributing to the rediscovery, reintroduction, and protection of over 1,900 species. Under her leadership, it has evolved from a small grants programme into a platform advancing broader conservation initiatives that link biodiversity, sustainability, and human well-being.

In addition to her national roles, Ms. Al Mubarak serves as UAE Sherpa to the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy, Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), and Nature Champion at the World Economic Forum. She also previously served as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28 UAE, where she played a key role in elevating nature’s role in global climate action.

Ms. Al Mubarak holds an MSc in Public Understanding of Environmental Change from University College London (UCL) and a BA (Hons) in Environmental Studies and International Relations from Tufts University, USA. She also serves on the boards of Panthera, Re:wild, and the Tropical Forests Forever Facility.

“Each species represents a unique library of evolutionary wisdom:” Razan Al Mubarak for Mongabay

Mongabay

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, authored an op-ed for Mongabay reflecting on the deeper meaning of biodiversity ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, which will take place in Abu Dhabi, October 9 to 15.

Ms. Al Mubarak argues that biodiversity represents the most ancient and sophisticated information network our planet has ever known, and underscores the importance of understanding biodiversity as more than a valuable resource for sustainability:

“Long before humans developed language or writing, nature had perfected the art of storing and transmitting information. Each species represents a unique library of evolutionary wisdom, encoded in DNA refined over millions of years. When we lose a species, we don’t just lose a physical entity; we lose an irreplaceable repository of information that took eons to develop.”

Through practical examples of how species have adapted to specific conditions of the environment, Ms. Al Mubarak emphasizes that understanding the value of the information stored in nature is crucial for effective conservation:

“How do we preserve this network? First, we must acknowledge its value beyond sentiment. The UAE has demonstrated this through its Red List of threatened species assessments, protected area designations, and international conservation leadership through the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which has supported more than 3,000 projects across 170 countries.”

As the IUCN Congress approaches, Ms. Al Mubarak reaffirmed nature conservation must be positioned at the center of the conversation:

“Biodiversity offers us the ultimate backup system — a distributed storage of survival information no technology can match. In an era of climate uncertainty, preserving this biological knowledge isn’t just ethical — it’s existential. As the world gathers in Abu Dhabi for the IUCN World Conservation Congress, let us safeguard this living network with vigilance, investment and care — ensuring that nature’s silent information exchange endures as our shared inheritance for generations to come.”

Read the full article on Mongabay.

IUCN President Razan Al Mubarak Calls on Members to Unite ahead of World Conservation Congress

IUCN

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of IUCN, reflects on the Union’s achievements during her first term, highlights the development of IUCN’s first-ever 20-year strategy, and calls on Members to unite for nature, climate, and people ahead of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, which is taking place October 9 to 15 in Abu Dhabi, UAE:

“What makes IUCN unique is not only its history, but its people. As President, I have witnessed the energy and commitment of our Members—scientists, governments, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, and communities—coming together with a shared purpose.

I’ve seen this spirit in so many places: Washington, Kenya, Guatemala, Switzerland, and West Asia. Each moment reminded me of the power of our Union.

My leadership is grounded in the belief that conservation must be strategic, inclusive, and collaborative—integrating nature into climate action while empowering Indigenous Peoples, women, youth, and local communities to shape global solutions.

In my first term, we strengthened IUCN’s voice on the global stage, advanced Indigenous participation and youth leadership, improved governance and transparency, and expanded partnerships that bring new energy and resources to our Union.

Looking ahead, we have prepared, through broad consultation, IUCN’s first-ever 20-year strategy and the new 4-year programme of work. Both will be considered by Members at the Congress, charting a bold path to 2045 and setting priorities for the years ahead.

As I seek a second term as President, I remain committed to a Union that is strategic, inclusive, and effective—delivering real impact for nature and people. That means ensuring our strategy lives in action, upholding good governance, serving all Members with science and policy leadership, and deepening partnerships that keep nature at the center of global decisions.

This is our moment to unite for nature, climate, and people.

I look forward to welcoming you to the IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, from the 9th to the 15th of October, 2025. Through the Forum, Exhibition, and Members’ Assembly, we will share ideas, debate motions, and elect the next IUCN Council—shaping the future of conservation together.

Thank you.”