Overview of the Envoy
Approach
The Special Envoy role adopts an integrated approach that combines strategic direction, international engagement, and national coordination. It seeks to unify nature-related priorities within the foreign policy framework, expand collaboration with international partners, stakeholders, and multilateral entities, and strengthen coordination across relevant national institutions. This ensures the effective deployment of the UAE’s expertise in advancing global efforts to protect nature and enhance human well-being.
The role also supports the development of a cohesive and impactful nature agenda that advances the UAE’s sustainable development vision and reinforces its proactive international engagement, while emphasizing the importance of collective action in addressing accelerating environmental challenges.
Mission
The Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature mandate focuses on advancing the UAE’s global leadership the protection of natural resources, biodiversity conservation, and the advancement of nature-positive practices. This is achieved through embedding environmental priorities at the core of foreign policy, supporting sustainable development, aligning national policies with international commitments, and strengthening long-term national resilience to global environmental challenges.
Strategic Objectives
Diplomacy
Strengthen the UAE’s engagement in multilateral platforms and international negotiations related to biodiversity, nature-based solutions, and ocean governance, ensuring alignment between global outcomes and national priorities while positioning the UAE as a key contributor to the global environmental agenda.
Alignment
Ensure coherence between national environmental priorities and foreign policy objectives by providing strategic and technical inputs that support unified national positions in relevant international forums and negotiations.
Partnerships
Expand collaboration with governments, United Nations agencies, scientific and philanthropic institutions, civil society organizations, and the private sector to enhance the UAE’s role in advancing climate action, protecting nature, and delivering sustainable environmental impact globally.Key Responsibilities
Diplomatic representation
Represent the UAE in high-level meetings, summits, and international forums focused on nature, biodiversity and oceans, while leading diplomatic efforts that reinforce the UAE’s position as an influential voice in shaping the global environmental agenda.Strategic and technical advisory
Provide expert insights and technical guidance to support the development of policies and international positions, strengthen intergovernmental coordination, and ensure coherence and integration in decision-making on environmental issues with an international dimension.Activation and coordination of strategic partnerships
Coordinate efforts among local and international partners to advance shared objectives, further reinforcing the UAE’s global environmental diplomacy.
Her Excellency Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak
Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature
H.E. Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak is a widely recognized as a global leader in environmental conservation and sustainability. In addition to her role as Special Envoy of the Minister of Foreign Affairs for Nature, she currently serves serves as President of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
With over two decades of experience, Her Excellency has played a key role in shaping the UAE’s national environmental agenda and advancing strategic policies and initiatives focused on biodiversity conversation and sustainable development.
H.E. Al Mubarak also serves as Managing Director of the Mohamed bin Zayed Species Conservation Fund, which has supported more than 3,000 projects worldwide and fosters impactful partnerships to advance global conservation efforts. In addition, she serves as Managing Director of the Environment Agency – Abu Dhabi, the entity responsible for environmental regulation and biodiversity conservation in the Emirate.
Previously, she served as the UN Climate Change High-Level Champion for COP28, where she played a significant role in elevating the importance of nature within the global climate agenda.
At the international level, Her Excellency represents the UAE as “Sherpa” to the High-Level Panel for a Sustainable Ocean Economy and serves as Co-Chair of the Taskforce on Nature-related Financial Disclosures (TNFD). She also contributes to global conservation efforts through advisory roles with the World Economic Forum, in addition to board memberships in leading international organizations dedicated to nature conservation.
Updates
UAE leaders congratulate President of Iceland on National Day
President His Highness Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan has sent a congratulatory message to President Halla Tómasdóttir of Iceland on the occasion of her country's National Day.
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UAE Mobilizes UNESCO Water Family and Launches Global Youth Water Initiatives in Support of the 2026 UN Water Conference
The United Arab Emirates reaffirmed its commitment to advancing international water cooperation, strengthening science-based policymaking, and empowering youth leadership as part of preparations for the 2026 United Nations Water Conference (2026 UNWC), which will be co-hosted by the UAE and Senegal in Abu Dhabi from 8 to 10 December 2026.
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UAE Affirms Importance of Dialogue, Diplomacy and Adherence to International Law to Reinforce Regional Security and Stability
In light of the announcement regarding the agreement reached on a Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran, the United Arab Emirates affirms the importance of prioritizing dialogue and diplomacy, and adhering to international law, in a manner that reinforces regional security and stability.
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Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh Participates in Kultaranta Talks 2026 in Finland
On behalf of His Highness Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Her Excellency Lana Nusseibeh, Minister of State, attended the Kultaranta Talks 2026 in Naantali, Finland.
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