Razan Al Mubarak stresses importance of nature conservation at prestigious international congress

Jeju, Korea, Sept 18, 2012 (WAM) - Razan Khalifa Al Mubarak, Secretary General of the Environment Agency - Abu Dhabi (EAD) has joined leading minds in the world of conservation and environmentalism at the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) World Conservation Congress which took place in Jeju, Korea. Al Mubarak was the only representative from the Arab region to speak on the panel, Nature+: Saving nature, why bother?'. The IUCN Congress, which takes place every four years, provides decision-makers with a platform to discuss how to invest in nature, increase environmental resilience and reduce the vulnerability of people to the impacts of climate change. Invited to participate as a panel member to discuss if the importance of conserving biological diversity is being overestimated, what biodiversity means for development and who is responsible for conserving nature. Al Mubarak joined panellists Dr. Yoo Young-sook, Korea's Minister of Minister of Environment, Sir Richard Branson, CEO of the Virgin Group, Braulio Ferreira de Souza Dias, Secretary General of the Convention on Biological Diversity, and Andre Hoffman, President of the MAVA Foundation. She presented a nuanced argument for species conservation consistent with the policy work of the EAD which advocates a balanced approach to environmental regulation. Speaking at the Congress, Al Mubarak shared her thoughts on the matter from two different viewpoints. "The intrinsic perspective views nature as inseparable from being human - nature is around us and a part of us. Every creature is important, no matter its economic or practical value, and, therefore, we must work diligently to conserve all nature and every species. "On the other hand, the utilitarian perspective views nature as a resource to be conserved for future use. Without nature, we cannot build our cities, grow our food, or drink our water. We conserve that which is necessary to ensure our survival into perpetuity," she said. The dualistic perspective, to which Al Mubarak subscribes as a policy-maker at EAD, views nature conservation from both the utilitarian and intrinsic perspectives, and that one must carefully balance the two perspectives in all decisions regarding environmental regulation. She concluded: "I view nature as inseparable from being human. And, therefore believe nature must be protected as we protect ourselves. However, it is unrealistic to expect that every area of land can be protected, and that every human activity fully friendly to nature, but we have a duty to make the best effort we can." EAD is a member of IUCN, and a framework partner along with the countries of Denmark, Finland, Netherlands, France, Canada, Norway, Sweden, and Switzerland. The IUCN World Conservation Congress is the world's largest and most important conservation event which gathers international government leaders, NGOs and top professionals to discuss environmental conventions, scientific discoveries and global initiatives. This year, around 8,000 delegates attended the Congress, covering new insights and key agreements on how to manage our natural environment. – Emirates News Agency, WAM