My Priority Is to Turn IUCN’s Vision into Action

(Al Hima Magazine 6th Edition) 

Interviewed by Raghida
Haddad, Editor-in-Chief of Al Hima Magazine.

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak is a global leader in conservation and climate action, serving as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and spearheading efforts to integrate nature into global climate strategies. She was the founding director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, one of the world’s largest philanthropic organizations supporting direct species conservation, funding over 3,000 projects in nearly every country. As Managing Director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi (EAD), Al Mubarak has been a driving force in shaping the United Arab Emirates’ sustainability agenda, championing environmental policies, species conservation, and climate action across West Asia and globally.

In this exclusive interview with Al-Hima magazine, Razan Al Mubarak shares her insights and experience with conservationists in the Arab region and the world.

Reflecting on your leadership in conservation, what key priorities have guided your work, and which achievements are you most proud of?

Throughout my career, I’ve been guided by a belief that nature conservation is both a moral responsibility and a foundation for human well-being. Whether through the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund or my role as IUCN President, my focus has always been on supporting those working on the front lines of conservation, especially in underrepresented regions and with lesser-known species.

With the MBZ Fund, we’ve shown that small, direct grants can make a global impact — supporting over 3,000 projects in nearly every country. At IUCN, I’m proud that nature was fully recognized in the Global Stocktake under the UNFCCC for the first time and that Indigenous Peoples were acknowledged as essential partners in climate and biodiversity solutions.

If re-elected as IUCN President, what would be your top priorities, and how would you address the key challenges facing global biodiversity?

If re-elected, my priority will be to turn IUCN’s 20-Year Strategic Vision into action. We must move beyond goals and frameworks and focus on real-world impact — from local communities to multilateral negotiations.

My second term would focus on six areas: aligning the Union’s work with the 2030 and post-2030 biodiversity agenda; strengthening governance and collaboration across the Union; increasing value and responsiveness to Members; elevating IUCN’s role in multilateral processes; advancing ethical use of technology in conservation; and ensuring that all voices from all regions and cultures – especially those most directly connected to nature – are heard.

IUCN must remain a trusted convener and a science-based voice for nature, now and in the critical decade ahead.

How do you view community-based conservation as a pathway to sustainability, and how does it help connect nature with culture and heritage?

Community-led conservation is essential to achieving sustainable development and biodiversity goals. Protected areas are not only about conserving nature — they are deeply connected to culture, heritage, and livelihoods. When communities are at the center of conservation, outcomes are more effective and more equitable.

IUCN’s strength lies in its Members, and motions like 122 reflect the Union’s commitment to recognize and elevate locally grounded, culturally informed conservation models. Whether through Indigenous stewardship, co-managed reserves, or other forms of governance, these approaches connect environmental protection with human dignity and long-term resilience.

How can the IUCN enhance its engagement with the private sector to advance sustainable development and strengthen conservation finance?

The private sector has a critical role to play in reversing biodiversity loss and supporting sustainable development. IUCN can help bridge the gap between conservation science and business practice by offering trusted tools, clear standards, and opportunities for collaboration.

Initiatives like the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD), which I co-chair, are helping companies understand and manage their impact on nature. IUCN can also support businesses in aligning investments with conservation goals and scaling up nature-based solutions.

The goal isn’t just funding – it’s long-term partnerships that align economic activity with ecological integrity.

You’ve emphasized the importance of diversity in conservation. How do you plan to ensure that diverse voices—including women and Indigenous communities—are meaningfully heard and represented within the IUCN?

Diversity must be reflected not only in who participates in conservation, but in who leads it. IUCN’s strength is its global, inclusive membership – from Indigenous Peoples’ organizations to women-led NGOs, youth networks, and governments from every region.

As President, I’ve worked to make IUCN more representative – supporting efforts to elevate Indigenous leadership, ensure gender balance, and broaden participation from communities and countries where nature is most integral to daily life. This work must continue. Inclusion isn’t an add-on; it’s essential to legitimacy, effectiveness, and justice in conservation.

What advice would you offer to young people aspiring to build a career in conservation?

Follow your passion — and don’t underestimate the impact you can have. Conservation needs all kinds of skills: science, law, policy, communications, technology, and community organizing. Whatever your background, there is a place for you in this work.

Stay curious, be persistent, and seek mentors. And remember that conservation is not just about protecting species – it’s about people, justice, and securing a livable future for all.

What is your favorite place in nature, and how does it inspire you personally or professionally?

The desert will always be my favourite place. Its silence and immensity have a way of putting everything in perspective. It teaches patience, humility, and respect for the resilience of life.

Growing up in the UAE, I learned that nature isn’t only found in lush forests or coral reefs — it’s also in arid landscapes that hold extraordinary biodiversity and deep cultural meaning. The desert inspires me to listen more carefully, act more deliberately, and never take nature’s resilience for granted.