Panthera Statement on Razan Al Mubarak’s Reelection as President of IUCN

Panthera congratulates our Board member and Global Alliance for Wild Cats member, Razan Al Mubarak, on her reelection as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). She is the second woman and the first leader from West Asia to hold this prestigious position in IUCN’s 76-year history. 

Ms. Al Mubarak’s leadership has been marked by her unwavering commitment to biodiversity, climate action, and species conservation, as well as her advocacy for gender equality and indigenous rights in environmental governance. Under her guidance, IUCN has advanced innovative strategies to tackle the twin crises of biodiversity loss and climate change, while amplifying the voices of young people and local communities in global conservation. 

Dr. Frédéric Launay, Panthera President and CEO, stated, “Razan's reelection highlights the confidence IUCN members have in her leadership and the progress that has been made to put nature and wildlife at the center of efforts to address climate change. Her proven experience in uniting the IUCN's diverse membership and elevating indigenous groups makes her the charismatic champion we need at this moment. Over the next four years, her guidance will be critical in ensuring that the global conservation community is well-positioned to achieve lasting progress for both people and the planet.” 

In addition to her work with IUCN, Ms. Al Mubarak serves as Managing Director of Emirates Nature – WWF, Secretary General of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, and founding Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which has supported more than 2,500 species conservation projects in over 160 countries. She also served as the UN High-Level Champion for Climate Change at COP28, further demonstrating her global leadership in climate and biodiversity action.