The Global Nature Conservation Conference organized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), chaired by Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, brought together under one umbrella a distinguished group of government leaders, indigenous peoples, United Nations representatives, environmental field pioneers, scientists, youth, and partners from around the world, including His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr., President of the Republic of Palau, to participate in a high-level dialogue titled “Nature’s Promise for Climate and People.”

During the dialogue session, participants reviewed ways to enhance integration between nature, climate, and people on the global agenda and explored mechanisms to empower the conservation community to play a more effective role in bridging the gap between ambitious climate visions and effective practical implementation.

His Excellency Surangel Whipps Jr. said, “Today, Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the IUCN, has brought us together in an honest and open dialogue where participants spoke frankly about the challenges and opportunities we face, and how we can collaborate to turn ambitions into tangible actions on the ground.”

Participants affirmed the vital role of nature in addressing climate challenges and the conservation community’s commitment to enhancing efforts and balancing climate challenges with serving humanity.

The dialogue contributed to uniting participants around a shared vision embodied in an inspiring message titled “Nature’s Promise for Climate and People,” which will evolve and gain momentum ahead of the COP30 conference in Belém, Brazil.

This message aims to express the collective voice of the global nature conservation community and affirms that nature is at the core of climate solutions and a fundamental pillar for human well-being everywhere.

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, President of the IUCN, said, “This dialogue embodies the essence of the IUCN, the world’s largest and most diverse environmental network, uniting governments, indigenous peoples, scientists, civil society, youth, and the private sector, all aiming to bridge the gap between climate and nature agendas and turn ambition into tangible progress that serves humanity and protects the planet.”

During the session, speakers reviewed the philosophy of conservation as a noble responsibility rooted in indigenous wisdom, translated into just policies based on strong cultural and social foundations. They emphasized empowering local communities and youth, recognizing traditional knowledge as authentic science drawn from deep human experience, alongside integrating solutions that unify climate and nature, enhancing ecosystem services, and ensuring inclusive decision-making with a focus on speed, effectiveness, and hope.

Discussions stressed the urgent need to close the global nature finance gap, estimated at over 700 billion US dollars annually, calling on business and financial institutions to invest in ecosystems as vital assets to ensure stability, resilience, and shared prosperity.

Her Excellency Al Mubarak said, “When policies hesitate and decisions delay, finance and the private sector can still lead the way—turning promises into protection and commitments into progress.”

At the conclusion of the session, Dr. Sylvia Earle, Nature Patron at the IUCN, expressed optimism about this pivotal moment, which combines unprecedented knowledge and tremendous technological capabilities, offering a real opportunity to make decisive decisions for our planet.

The dialogue featured prominent figures including Achim Steiner, former Administrator of the United Nations Development Programme; Dr. David Obura, Chair of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES); Maria Soledad Rojas, Community Leader of the Natural Environment Foundation in Chile representing local communities; and Buir Tembe, Indigenous Leader and Chair of the Indigenous Peoples Union in Pará State, Brazil.

Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak reiterated the pivotal role of the IUCN and its members in uniting efforts and linking climate, biodiversity, and sustainable development agendas, stating, “Together we can fulfill Nature’s Promise—for climate, people, and future generations. Let our message launch from Abu Dhabi to Belém and beyond, carrying hope and collective action.”

The “Nature’s Promise for Climate and People” message will continue to be developed over the coming months through extensive consultations with IUCN members and partners to effectively enrich the global dialogue on nature-based solutions and enhance climate ambition within the framework of COP30.