As COP29 Azerbaijan concludes, Razan Al Mubarak reflects on her tenure as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, a journey that has been both transformative and rewarding:

“It has been an honor to serve as a steadfast advocate for aligning global climate and biodiversity goals, and to champion the recognition of Nature-Based Solutions as critical tools for mitigating and adapting to climate change.”

Throughout this journey, Ms. Al Mubarak’s focus has been on ensuring inclusivity in climate negotiations, advocating for the inclusion of women, Indigenous Peoples, and other underrepresented groups. The progress made is evident, especially with the UAE Consensus reached at COP28, which for the first time recognized the need to implement the Paris Agreement and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework together.

A significant milestone achieved at COP29 was the renewal of the mandate for the UN Climate Change High-Level Champions, extending their work through 2030. This decision, made by all parties a year before the original mandate was set to expire, underscores the importance of sustained high-level engagement in driving voluntary efforts, initiatives, and coalitions under the Marrakech Partnership. It ensures that the critical work of fostering collaboration among non-state actors, scaling up climate ambition, and integrating nature-based solutions will continue through the decade.

The alignment of these goals has gained unstoppable momentum, and Ms. Al Mubarak is encouraged by the growing support for integrating nature goals into Nationally Determined Contributions and climate action plans:

“As we move forward, it is essential that these plans align with obligations under the Convention on Biological Diversity to maximize the benefits of nature-climate strategies.”

The collective efforts of non-state actors, including the private sector, civil society, and local authorities, have been instrumental in driving ambitious climate action. Initiatives like the Ocean Breakthroughs and Mangrove Breakthroughs, developed under the Marrakech Partnership, have made incredible strides and will continue to shape the future of climate and nature integration.

“Inclusion has been at the core of everything we do, and it has been a privilege to champion the voices of Indigenous Peoples, women, and local communities. One key initiative I am especially proud of is the Global Data Study on Indigenous Peoples’ Climate Contributions, which will be presented at COP30, providing invaluable insight into the role Indigenous Peoples play in biodiversity and climate resilience.”

Looking ahead, Ms. Al Mubarak remains deeply optimistic about the path paved together and the progress made:

“I look forward to seeing these initiatives continue to flourish as we approach COP30 in Belém, Brazil, and beyond. Our journey is far from over, and together, we will continue to advance the climate and nature agenda for a sustainable future.”

Wrapping up COP29 Azerbaijan, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, had the honor of hosting the Marrakech Partnership Special Event: Informality Roundtable, a follow-up to the dialogue she led at the United Nations’ General Assembly in New York. This event focused on the actions being taken by people living in urban informality, showcasing the incredible efforts of stakeholders from the private sector, the Marrakesh Partnership itself, and other partners working to empower these communities. Attendees discussed how these efforts can be scaled, with a focus on innovative approaches, such as collaboration with the insurance sector, and how to engage leaders from both the formal and informal sectors to drive lasting change for millions living in informal settlements.

During COP29’s flagship High-Level Gender Day event, Ms. Al Mubarak participated in a panel discussion on the importance of integrating Gender Equality into climate solutions, an area that is vital to achieving the ambitious climate and biodiversity goals. The event underscored the need for continued advocacy for gender-responsive climate action, and she was honored to contribute to this important conversation.

Ms. Al Mubarak also had the privilege of sharing closing remarks at the Marrakech Partnership Action Event on Oceans and Coastal Zones, where the Coastal Tourism Breakthrough was launched. This event demonstrated the power of Non-State Actors as unique drivers of change in sectors such as conservation, shipping, energy, and food. The panel emphasized the critical role Ocean-Based Solutions play in building resilient economies and societies.

At the Mangrove Breakthrough event, co-hosted by the Mangrove Alliance for Climate and the Global Mangroves Alliance, attendees reported on the progress made since COP28 UAE in advancing mangrove restoration and protection and discussed the transformative impact of partnerships that bring together civil society, governments, Indigenous communities, and the private sector, highlighting how collective action and synergies can create tangible climate benefits.

Finally, the official closing of the day came with the Global Climate Action Agenda with the Champions for Change event. It was a moment of reflection on the progress made, and Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to share the stage with close allies and supporters throughout her tenure as High-Level Climate Champion:

“The momentum we've built here at COP29 in Baku is powerful, and we remain united in our vision for a resilient, nature-positive future. Together, we will continue to advance the work needed to ensure climate and biodiversity action are intertwined in the fight for a sustainable world.”

At COP29, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, was honored to co-host the Enhancing Inclusive Climate Action: Alliance for Gender-Responsive Climate Finance roundtable at the UAE Pavilion. This pivotal discussion brought together representatives from National Gender and Climate Change Focal Points, intergovernmental organizations, multilateral development banks, philanthropies, civil society, women’s rights organizations, youth feminist leaders, and Indigenous Peoples organizations.

The event featured incredible insights from Mary Robinson, former President of Ireland and Member of The Elders; Dr. Jemimah Njuki, Chief of the Economic Empowerment Section at UN Women; and Bridget Burns, Executive Director of WEDO and member of Roots Rising. Attendees heard powerful contributions from youth feminist leader Ayshka Najib and closing remarks from Joci Aguiar, Advisor on Environment and Climate Justice to the Ministry of Women, Brazil. The session was skillfully moderated by Sana Kapadia, a seasoned finance and investment professional, gender-smart investing specialist and global changemaker. 

Focused on implementing the outcomes of COP28 and setting a forward-looking agenda towards COP30, the conversation emphasized the transformative role of gender-responsive climate finance – it explored key themes such as expanding access to finance for women-led initiatives, improving gender data systems, and ensuring local leadership in climate solutions. In regards, Ms. Al Mubarak stated:

“As we carry the momentum forward on Gender Day, let’s commit to embedding gender equity in all facets of climate action and ensuring this critical conversation continues at COP30 in Brazil.”

Ms. Al Mubarak extended her gratitude to partners, including UN Women, UNFCCC, and the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, for their collaboration in making this event possible:

“Together, we can foster a more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable climate future.”

All through COP29 Azerbaijan, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, has had the privilege of participating in several key discussions focused on enhancing inclusive climate action and strengthening the role of gender-responsive finance in tackling climate change.

Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to host the Alliance for Gender-Responsive Climate Finance roundtable alongside valuable partners including The World Bank, EBRD, and UNFCCC, where the discussion delved into the intersection of gender and climate finance in the context of the Enhanced Lima Work Programme on Gender and its Gender Action Plan. During the session, Ms. Al Mubarak shared the opening remarks alongside former Irish President Mary Robinson, emphasizing the importance of gender-responsive finance. The event aimed to highlight progress on COP28 UAE's Gender-Responsive Just Transitions and raise awareness of the efforts across various sectors, from philanthropy to institutional investment. Ms. Al Mubarak’s fellow High-Level Climate Champions, Nigar Arpadarai, contributed as well with inspiring closing words, driving momentum forward.

At the COP29 Urban and Climate Ministerial: Nature, Health & Agriculture High-Level Roundtable, Ms. Al Mubarak had the honor of speaking alongside Environment Ministers on the nexus of nature, climate, and urbanization. This roundtable supported exchanges of best practices on Nature-Based Solutions and their critical contributions to goals of restoration, food security, and health in urban areas. Together, attendees deliberated on practical pathways to finance multi-sectoral action and enhance multi-level governance, ensuring that action at the city level plays a pivotal role in driving climate action, restoring biodiversity, and promoting human health.

Ms. Al Mubarak also participated in the Marrakech Partnership Action Event: “Investable NDCs for Subnational Action - Towards Low-Carbon, Resilient Buildings and a Just Future” session, where the inauguration of the Intergovernmental Council on Buildings and Climate took place. This session showcased subnational actors leading the way in climate action and emphasized the importance of enabling Nationally Determined Contributions to support multi-level governance and local financing.

Lastly, Ms. Al Mubarak attended an emotional farewell reception in honor of her tenure as High-Level Champion for COP28, marking a chapter of dedication and progress in collective climate action efforts:

“Thank you all for following along, and working for a better future for all.”

At COP29 Azerbaijan, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, was honored to meet with an extraordinary delegation of youth climate activists from the Global South, aged 13 to 16, brought together by the Alana Institute through the Children for Nature Program. These passionate advocates shared their Manifesto for Justice for Children, a compelling vision for climate action rooted in equity, inclusion, and the recognition of children’s rights to a healthy and sustainable future.

This meeting, part of COP for Children, highlighted the critical need to elevate youth voices in shaping our planet's future. During the exchange, these young leaders presented bold recommendations, emphasizing:

• Rapid emissions reductions
• Increased climate funding for the Global South
• Protection and restoration of ecosystems through reforestation and sustainable agriculture
• Conservation of oceans to combat biodiversity loss and regulate the global climate
• A just energy transition
• Greater participation of children in decision-making

Ms. Al Mubarak found it inspiring to hear their perspectives and share insights on how they can amplify their voices and drive meaningful change, as their courage and clarity reaffirm the importance of intergenerational collaboration in the fight against climate change:

“Let us ensure that children—our future—are not just seen but truly heard in these critical global discussions. Their passion and vision light the path toward a sustainable, just, and inclusive world.”

Learn more about COP for Children at Alana.org

Read the powerful Children’s Manifesto

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As COP29 Azerbaijan enters its final week, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, has been deeply focused on championing the integration of nature into climate action to secure a sustainable future while ensuring that all voices are represented in climate dialogues.

Ms. Al Mubarak was honored to deliver the Opening Remarks at the Marrakech Partnership Action Event on land use, titled “Transforming Land and Ecosystems for a Nature-Positive 2030.” This session spotlighted transformative actions demonstrating that a nature-positive, low-emission future is achievable. The event underscored the critical role of nature-based solutions in driving long-term sustainability and explored outcomes aimed at advancing the science-policy interface, enhancing monitoring and reporting frameworks, improving data and tools, and mobilizing climate finance for land-use systems.

At the Enhancing Ambition on Nature and Inclusion within Mission 1.5°C event, held in collaboration with IUCN, WWF, and Stanford University, attendees examined how nature and inclusion can be fully embedded in the Mission 1.5°C agenda. Building on the insights of the first Global Stocktake, the discussions stressed the urgent need for more ambitious 2025 Nationally Determined Contributions. In her Opening Remarks, Ms. Al Mubarak highlighted the necessity of integrating nature into climate strategies to achieve the ambition required to meet global climate goals.

As a day-closing reflection, Ms. Al Mubarak stated:

“Our shared dedication to advancing nature-positive solutions and driving meaningful change remains strong. I am eager to continue building on these discussions and to take decisive action as we move toward COP30 and beyond.”

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, reflects on the impact of the first week of COP29 Azerbaijan, calling it “a powerful demonstration of collaboration, dialogue, and bold action.”

Highlights from the week include:

• Forest & Climate Leaders' Partnership (FCLP): Moderating the high-level event on forests, Ms. Al Mubarak was inspired by the ambitious commitments to protect these vital ecosystems. Forests are indispensable for mitigating climate change and safeguarding biodiversity, and she remains optimistic about the progress achievable by COP30.
• Opening of the Global Climate Action Agenda: This event showcased the vital role of non-state actors in driving climate solutions. In bilateral meetings with the Umbrella Group, Environmental Integrity Group, AILAC, and the European Union, Ms. Al Mubarak was encouraged by the confidence expressed in the mandate of the High-Level Champions. This support was reaffirmed during the Agenda's opening, signaling strong alignment across stakeholders.
• Nature Finance Event: Attendees deepened discussions on scaling investments in nature-based solutions—a cornerstone of climate and biodiversity efforts. Transformative finance is critical to unlocking sustainable outcomes and ensuring progress on global commitments.
• Resilience Hub: Launching its fourth year, the Resilience Hub continues to amplify regional priorities and elevate local solutions. For Ms. Al Mubarak, it was an honor to reflect on its impact and highlight the importance of inclusive governance and action.

Each of these engagements highlights a shared commitment to climate action that is possible, profitable, and popular:

“The momentum here in Baku is extraordinary, and I’m deeply grateful to witness such a collaborative spirit in tackling the climate crisis.”

As we enter the second week, Ms. Al Mubark extends an invitation to continue to champion innovative, inclusive, and transformative solutions:

“Together, we are building a future where people and nature thrive.”

At COP29 Azerbaijan, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, had the privilege of hosting and moderating several key discussions aimed at bridging the distance between all interested parties in effective climate action, as well as driving the momentum for nature finance and private sector investment.

The Ambition Loop Dialogue on Finance, hosted alongside Nigar Arpadarai and James Grabert, Director of Mitigation, UNFCCC Secretariat, brought together High-Level Climate Champions, the UNFCCC, and both Party and non-Party stakeholders to explore how real-economy leadership can drive private finance to the areas that need it most. The discussion delved into the importance of accelerating private sector finance through an ambitious climate finance package, addressing the New Collective Quantified Goal agreed at COP29, investable Nationally Determined Contributions, and other policies that enable private finance.

Ms. Al Mubarak also hosted the Marrakech Partnership Special Event: Making Progress on Nature Finance: From Cali to Belem. This high-level roundtable gathered leaders from governments, public and private financial institutions, and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities to discuss actions needed to increase ambition on nature finance starting COP16 Colombia in Cali and toward COP30 in Belem. The session explored how to best advance synergies between climate and nature finance, ensuring greater transparency, reporting, and accountability.

Together, Ms. Al Mubarak and Ms. Arpadarai marked the Official Opening of the Marrakech Partnership Global Climate Action Agenda with a fireside chat, where Ms. Al Mubarak shared her priorities and key accomplishments over the past two years as High-Level Champion. Overall, the goal was to showcase the robust work of the real economy in advancing climate action and to remind Parties of the importance of continuing to steward the Action Agenda, ensuring its leadership from COP to COP.

These events were pivotal in driving forward the critical conversations around nature finance, transparency, and the urgent need for collaboration across sectors to meet climate and biodiversity goals, set on the Paris Agreement and under the Global Biodiversity Framework. Ms. Al Mubarak looks forward to building on these discussions and advancing the ambitious outcomes that will guide us all to COP30 and beyond.

COP29 Azerbaijan has started in Baku, where Razan Al Mubarak had the opportunity to meet with Party representatives from diverse negotiating groups to champion inclusive and collaborative climate solutions. In her role as UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, engaging in these conversations is critical as it’s in direct dialogue that we connect on shared goals, address unique regional needs, and strengthen the collective vision for impactful climate action:

“Together with my fellow High-Level Champion, Ms. Nigar Arpadarai, we listened to voices from across the spectrum—engaging with representatives from groups such as the Umbrella Group, the Environmental Integrity Group, and AILAC, and the European Union. Each group brings invaluable perspectives that inform our approach to resilience, mitigation, and nature-based solutions.”

Throughout the discussions, there have been major updates on the progress of initiatives like Race to Zero, Race to Resilience, and the 2030 Breakthroughs, and on the importance of an inclusive approach rooted in the Sharm El Sheikh Adaptation Agenda. Ms. Al Mubarak was especially keen to underscore that protecting nature must be central to climate strategies, ensuring that the voices of indigenous communities, women, and all those closely connected to natural ecosystems are heard and respected:

“Together, we’re creating the frameworks for urgent, cooperative action toward a sustainable future.”

Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, lead as Master of Ceremonies at the Leaders Protecting Forests for Climate, Lives, and Livelihoods event at COP29 Azerbaijan in Baku. Together with the Forest and Climate Leaders’ Partnership and leaders from across the globe, Ms. Al Mubarak emphasized the crucial role of forests in fighting climate change, preserving biodiversity, and supporting livelihoods.

Reflecting on the inspiring arc from COP26 to COP29, the Glasgow Leaders’ Declaration on Forests and Land Use has paved the way for universal action to halt and reverse deforestation by 2030 under the UAE Consensus adopted at COP28 UAE. This journey has seen both COP28 and COP16 Colombia align the implementation of the Paris and Kunming-Montreal agreements, creating a foundation for action on climate and nature.

Forest-rich countries are now stepping up, releasing and mobilising funds through integrated nature and climate strategies. The UAE is proud to invest in Resilient Ghana and Indonesia’s FOLU Net Sink 2030—two pioneering initiatives advancing sustainable landscapes and climate resilience.

Ms. Al Mubarak extends her gratitude to esteemed leaders like H.E Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo, President of Ghana; John Podesta, Special Advisor for International Climate Policy of the United States; and incoming FCLP co-chairs from Guyana and the UK for their insights and dedication:

“As we look ahead to COP30 in Belem, I’m optimistic about our shared ability to create solutions and mobilise resources for a sustainable, nature-positive future. Together, let’s keep the momentum strong as we protect forests for climate, lives, and livelihoods.”

At COP28 UAE, the world gathered in Dubai with a shared sense of urgency and purpose, as nearly 200 nations, business leaders, and thought leaders came together to drive meaningful Climate Action. The UAE's vision was clear: we must address the climate crisis head-on, uniting for the betterment of people and the planet.

Within the framework of the COP to COP transition, Razan Al Mubarak, UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, reflects on the UAE Consensus and its impact:

“What started as an impossible dream has now become a reality. It’s an enhanced balance, a robust package designed to accelerate climate action. The UAE Consensus is a commitment to moving beyond rhetoric, to driving real, impactful change”

As we handed over to COP29 Azerbaijan, we reaffirmed the importance of anchoring nature as an existential ally in addressing climate change and advancing sustainable development. This was a commitment that transcended borders, sectors, and industries:

“The simple truth that drives work forward is clear: “We are what we do, not what we say. We are what we do, not what we think.” Our collective actions will determine the future of our planet, and together, we must continue to build on the momentum from COP28 to achieve the transformative change we need.”