On September 2, Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak delivered the opening remarks at the IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum in Bangkok, Thailand, through a pre-recorded message. This forum served as a precursor to the 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi, providing a forum for IUCN Members policymakers to prepare for the Congress, and help shape IUCN’s four-year program of work and its 20-year strategy.
Ms. Al Mubarak’s address focused on the critical role of diversity and collaboration among civil society, governments, and indigenous groups in addressing biodiversity loss and climate change. She referenced the successes of the COP28 climate conference in Dubai, where global efforts led to a goal to end deforestation by 2030 and highlighted the crucial role of indigenous peoples in conservation.
The IUCN Asia Regional Conservation Forum, along with the 8 other RCFs being organized by IUCN, is instrumental in discussing global strategies and advancing multi-level action on environmental and social justice, highlighting the IUCN’s commitment to integrating indigenous insights and promoting a collaborative approach to managing our planet’s resources sustainably.
The discussions at the forum set the groundwork for upcoming UN Conventions on biological diversity, climate change, and desertification, with the insights and resolutions expected to significantly influence a sustainable and equitable future.