When the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress concluded in Abu Dhabi this month, the applause that filled the room was more than ceremonial. Delegates from around the world had just re-elected Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak to a second term as President of IUCN, solidifying her role as one of the most influential voices in global conservation and the emerging nature-based economy.
The Congress, which drew governments, businesses, and civil society leaders from over 160 countries, marked a turning point for IUCN and the broader environmental movement. Under Razan Al Mubarak’s leadership, the organization unveiled a 20-year vision and four-year action plan that positions nature not as a casualty of development, but as the foundation of economic resilience and social well-being.
A Global Leader Rooted in Nature
Razan Al Mubarak’s career has been defined by her ability to bridge worlds once considered separate: conservation, finance, and governance. As the first woman from the Arab world to lead IUCN, she has elevated the institution’s influence from a scientific authority into a global platform capable of shaping economic policy and investment strategy.
From her early work founding Emirates Nature–WWF to her leadership at the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund and the Environment Agency–Abu Dhabi, she has built a reputation for bringing results-driven pragmatism to conservation. Her approach blends ecological restoration with economic logic, insisting that protecting nature is not charity, but smart policy and sound investment.
Redefining the Value of Nature
At the World Conservation Congress, Al Mubarak emphasized that the era of separating environmental and economic priorities is over. The new IUCN program she championed places the concept of a “nature-based economy” at its core—an approach that treats ecosystems as vital assets essential to climate stability, food security, and sustainable growth.
Through partnerships with governments and private sector leaders, IUCN is helping countries integrate nature into their national budgets, corporate balance sheets, and development plans. Al Mubarak has called on finance ministries, investors, and companies to “measure what matters,” ensuring that nature’s true value is recognized in both policy and profit.
Her leadership has inspired new models of cooperation between the public, private, and philanthropic sectors. By connecting biodiversity protection with economic opportunity, she is redefining what sustainable development looks like in practice.
The Success of Abu Dhabi
The 2025 IUCN World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi was widely viewed as a success, both for its outcomes and its symbolism. It demonstrated the rising leadership of the Global South in shaping global environmental priorities and showcased how nations like the United Arab Emirates are positioning themselves at the forefront of the green transition.
Under Razan Al Mubarak’s guidance, IUCN members adopted an ambitious 20-year strategic framework focused on restoring ecosystems, advancing nature-positive finance, and accelerating implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The Congress concluded with a renewed call to action that resonated with heads of state, youth leaders, and corporate executives alike: that economic prosperity and planetary health must advance together.
A Vision for the Decade Ahead
As the world races toward 2030, Razan Al Mubarak’s second term at IUCN will be defined by the challenge of delivery. Translating ambition into measurable progress will require unprecedented coordination across sectors and continents.
But if the success of the Abu Dhabi Congress is any indication, the world is ready for the kind of leadership Razan Al Mubarak represents: confident, inclusive, and rooted in both science and diplomacy.
The nature-based economy she envisions is not a distant goal—it is already emerging, shaped by leaders who understand that investing in nature is the smartest investment of all.
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