Our Voice is Our Union
Together we are powering transformative conservation
In the lead-up to the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025, we’ve gathered reflections from people across regions and sectors on what message they would share with the world’s most diverse gathering of conservation professionals.
These are stories of hope, urgency, and collaboration. These are Voices for Congress. Together, these voices are showing how shared purpose, resilience, and connection drive transformative conservation.
Whether you’re participating in person or online, let these voices accompany you. Watch all videos on our YouTube playlist.
Listen. Share. Follow and interact with us on our social media channels to add your own.
Dr. Grethel Aguilar is the Director General of the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Born in Costa Rica, she brings over 30 years of experience in conservation and sustainable development, having worked extensively on developing and applying environmental law and policy in collaboration with governments and civil society. Dr. Aguilar is a passionate advocate for Indigenous rights, gender equality, and the integration of local knowledge into global environmental policy. She has held multiple leadership roles within IUCN and has worked extensively with governments, civil society, and international organisations to advance environmental justice.
IUCN President Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak is a global conservation and climate action leader, spearheading efforts to integrate nature into global climate strategies. Elected in September 2021, she made history as the second woman to lead the organization and the first president from West Asia.
Roberto A.Wolf Webels is the Mexico Manager of the Northern Jaguar Project (NJP) which operates with a bi-national (US - Mexico), cross border approach to create cooperative solutions for the conservation of jaguars. He plays a crucial role ensuring impeccable management of Sonora’s 56,000 acre Northern Jaguar Preserve and the surrounding ranches that participate in NJP's program, Viviendo con Felinos ® (VCF).
2024 UN Convention to Combat Desertification Land Hero Siddhesh Sakore founded AGRO RANGERS in India to empower youth and farmers in his drought-prone region in India. Siddhesh aims to bring positive change to farmers’ lives while promoting environmental well-being.
Rokiatou Traoré has been recognised by the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) as a Land Hero because of her dedicated work as a green entrepreneur and sustainable development advocate. She is the Founder and Director of Herou Alliance in Mali, focused on agriculture and food security, contributing to climate change discussions and strategies in Mali.
David Gadsden is an applied geographer with over 30 years of experience designing and implementing Geographic Information Systems (GIS) for conservation, sustainable development, and humanitarian organizations. He is a global conservation advisor and geospatial science communicator.