Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak chairs the 117th meeting of the International Union for Conservation of Nature Council in Switzerland

GLAND – SWITZERLAND, 1st May / WAM / Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) and Managing Director of the Mohammed bin Zayed Fund for Species Conservation, chaired the 117th meeting of the IUCN Council in the Swiss city of Gland, marking the launch of a new phase of global action to protect nature, preserve biological diversity and reduce the loss of species.

The meeting coincides with the start of the International Union for Conservation of Nature’s implementation of the outcomes of the World Conservation Congress, which Abu Dhabi hosted in October 2025, and constituted a turning point in the path of international efforts to conserve nature, as it culminated in the launch of the “Abu Dhabi Call for Action”, and agreement on a twenty-year strategic vision and work program for the period 2026-2029, in addition to renewing confidence in Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak for a second term as President of the Union.

These outcomes provide a clear framework to accelerate progress towards achieving global biodiversity goals, especially since the remaining years of this decade are a critical period for reversing the course of nature loss, while the Gland meeting represents the first step towards translating this trend into coordinated global action.

Based on the clarity of the future vision of the International Union for Conservation of Nature, its focus now turns to implementation, as the Council discussed ways to strengthen work in the field of conservation at the IUCN level, including prioritizing key decisions, monitoring opportunities to achieve early impact within the work program, in addition to developing mechanisms for monitoring and measuring progress in protecting biological diversity and species.

The Council approved the structure and roles of its permanent committees, which will supervise the implementation of programs, financial performance and governance, which enhances the effectiveness of implementation and ensures accountability in light of the increasing pressures on ecosystems and species globally.

Her Excellency Razan Al Mubarak said that the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi set a clear path for action for nature, and it is now our responsibility to transform this path into tangible results, noting that pressures on biodiversity are increasing and are closely linked to economic resilience, food systems, long-term development, peace and security.

Her Excellency added that this requires a more integrated approach linking science, policy and implementation, while the International Union for Conservation of Nature brings together the knowledge, partnerships and global outreach necessary to respond on a large scale, and our efforts focus on achieving real results for nature and people.

For her part, Dr. Grethel Aguilar, Director General of the Union, said in her report to the Council that, with a clear mandate from the conference, we are facing a stage of transition from commitment to implementation. The Union also has a unique position that enables it to support its members and partners in transforming global priorities into practical results in the field of conservation, benefiting from its scientific expertise and its global network.

During its meeting, the Council discussed ways to enhance the Union’s support for countries and partners in implementing their commitments, by expanding access to science-based guidance, standards, and data, to ensure that they contribute to accelerating efforts to protect ecosystems, preserve species, and restore biodiversity, and focus on the importance of the Union’s ability to link science, policy, and implementation across a broad global network that allows for the provision of practical, scalable solutions, especially in light of the increasing interconnectedness of environmental challenges.

It is noteworthy that the International Union for Conservation of Nature is the oldest and largest environmental network in the world, with more than 1,600 member organizations and more than 18,000 scientific experts.

This global alliance works across ecosystems and regions to protect biodiversity, conserve species and promote the sustainable use of natural resources, by linking governments, civil society and indigenous peoples with scientific expertise, and transforming global priorities into concrete actions on the ground.

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