Africa key to global efforts in preserving nature: IUCN

Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), delivered a keynote speech at the Africa Conservation Forum in Nairobi, Kenya.

Organised by the National Committee of IUCN Members in Kenya and the Government of Kenya, the event which commenced on Wednesday (26 June), is designed to shape Africa public policy towards nature conservation in the lead up to the World Conservation Congress 2025, set to take place in Abu Dhabi.

Al Mubarak addressed an audience which included more than 500 representatives of IUCN constituents.

“As one of nine regional conservation forums, this event sets the stage for the World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi in 2025,” said Al Mubarak.

“Africa is crucial to global efforts to preserve nature, adapt to climate change, and create a just world that values nature.”

According to Al Mubarak, the efforts to halt biodiversity loss by 2030 and reach net-zero levels of greenhouse emissions should be inclusive, incorporating the knowledge of local communities and indigenous knowledge.

Africa is already demonstrating leadership in the effort to implement just and equitable solutions that address both the climate and nature challenges, with people’s well-being and progress as a prerequisite for success,” she said.

“In Africa, we see how indigenous practices and local stewardship lead to sustainable results,” said Al Mubarak. “IUCN promotes these inclusive and transformative approaches, recognising that true sustainability comes from respecting and utilising the wisdom of those closest to the land.”

Held every four years, the IUCN regional forums connect key biodiversity stakeholders – public bodies, scientists, activists, and international and regional organisations – in a bid to encourage knowledge sharing across sectors and regions.

“IUCN is often seen as a large global organisation; however, our aim is to empower action on the local level and support the implementation of conservation solutions on the ground,” said Al Mubarak. “Regional Conservation Forums gather our union together at a regional level: members, commissions, national and regional committees, regional councillors and secretariat staff. All these constituents have the opportunity to interact and build connections, to better understand the Union they are part of, and shape its future.”

For the first time, the Africa Conservation Forum combines all three IUCN subregions in Africa. The event is one of nine regional fora which the IUCN is holding over the coming seven months in preparation for the world’s largest conservation event, the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, held in Abu Dhabi in October next year. IUCN constituents will receive information on how to submit motions which ultimately can become IUCN resolutions. Participants can also provide input to the forthcoming IUCN Programme for the next four-year period and the IUCN 20-year strategy.

“The 20-year strategy is designed to help the organisation tackle the challenges of the next two decades, challenges which are essential to the well-being of humanity,” said Al Mubarak. “Our strategic aim is to help the IUCN take its place on the global stage as a leading authority on the conservation of nature and the intersection between conservation efforts and climate action.”

Recently, Al Mubarak, joined the Taskforce on Nature-Related Financial Disclosures (TNFD) as Co-Chair.

Al Mubarak will be working alongside David Craig, founder and CEO of Refinitiv, one of the largest data and technology platform providers to financial markets operating in over 160 countries.

Al Mubarak is replacing Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Secretary of the United Nations Environment Programme (UN Environment).

In her new capacity as Co-Chair, Al Mubarak will help lead the Taskforce’s efforts to embed the TNFD recommendations in the global corporate reporting architecture aligned with the commitment of over 190 governments around the world to Target 15 of the Global Biodiversity Framework.

WAM