The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) convened its 112th Council meeting in Antigua, Guatemala, under the leadership of President Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak. This meeting serves as an important milestone for IUCN, providing an opportunity to review progress in 2024 and set priorities for the future.
Honoring Guatemala’s cultural richness and deep connection with nature, upon arrival, Ms. Al Mubarak participated in a traditional Mayan ceremony, a powerful reflection of how Indigenous knowledge has long guided conservation efforts.
One of the central discussions is IUCN’s 20-year strategic vision, Unite for Nature: On the Path to 2045, which will be presented for approval at the IUCN 2025 World Conservation Congress in Abu Dhabi. Developed through extensive consultations, this strategy outlines the organization’s long-term conservation goals and financial framework.
Council members are also reviewing the draft IUCN Programme of Work for 2026-2029, which is scheduled for endorsement in May 2025. Additionally, preparations for the upcoming World Conservation Congress are underway. This event, held every four years, will bring together over 15,000 participants, including conservation experts, policymakers, indigenous representatives, and private sector stakeholders.
As part of the meeting, the Council will visit Guatemala City to engage with lawmakers on the country’s environmental legislative agenda. A key focus will be a vote on the establishment of a 7,000-hectare marine protected area aimed at safeguarding critical coral reef ecosystems. Discussions will also take place at the National Palace of Guatemala, where President Bernardo Arevalo and Minister of Environment and Natural Resources Patricia Orantes will present the country’s strategic environmental plan and its collaboration with IUCN.
In recognition of her leadership in conservation, President Razan Al Mubarak was presented with the Keys to Antigua during a ceremony hosted by Mayor Ricardo Quiñónez.