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.”