WWF Annual Review 2021 - 62

OUR PANDAS
" PANDAS " -- OUR AFFECTIONATE NAME FOR ALL THOSE WHO ARE PART OF THE WWF FAMILY -ARE
INTEGRAL TO THE SUCCESSFUL CONTINUATION OF WWF'S GLOBAL WORK. IN 2021, WE WANTED
TO PAY PARTICULAR TRIBUTE TO TWO OF OUR MOST PROMINENT PANDAS, PAST AND PRESENT.
OUR PRESIDENT STEPS DOWN
Pavan Sukhdev, who stepped down from
the role of WWF International President
in December 2021, speaks about his four
years in office.
" The changes we want to bring about, to
help people and nature thrive, are complex
and challenging, and can only be achieved
through the combined and sustained efforts
of many different contributors - from
individuals and communities to business
and government. I was deeply honoured
to become president of an organization
with a pivotal role in bringing together
these constellations of actors.
" Four years on, I look back at what has been
achieved with great pride. Together, we
have made strong progress in accelerating
the Great Transition of today's society and
economy towards one in which people live
in harmony with nature and continue to
benefit from its bounties. We are seeing
an unprecedented public awakening to the
importance of nature in our lives and wellbeing.
There is a heightened willingness
amongst policymakers, businesses and
investors to recognize and include the
importance of nature in decision-making.
And the goal of putting nature on the path
to recovery within the coming decade now
lies within reach, thanks in part to the
many collaborations we have helped
forge. These are impressive achievements,
although there is still more to do. I am,
however, confident that WWF is ready to
play its part. Today, we are more focused
and determined than ever, underpinned
by a global practice structure purpose-made
to build and use knowledge to address the
challenges ahead - from transforming
our consumption and production models
to ensuring the priorities of Indigenous
Peoples and local communities are
acknowledged and delivered.
" My heartfelt thanks go to the many
people inside the WWF Network and
beyond, who have made this progress
possible. It has been a privilege to work
with so many exceptional individuals,
dedicated to building a better future
for life on Earth, and I know I leave the
organization in safe hands. "
Vice-President Valentin von Massow
will assume the duties of acting president
until a new appointment is made.
UNDER PAVAN'S PRESIDENCY, THE
WWF NETWORK HAS DRIVEN THE IMPORTANCE
OF NATURE MUCH HIGHER ON THE GLOBAL AGENDA,
AND IS WORKING HARD WITH COMMUNITIES AND
PARTNERS TO HELP ENSURE WE BUILD A NATURE-POSITIVE
WORLD BY 2030. I AM HONOURED TO SPEAK ON THE
BOARD'S BEHALF TO SAY THAT WE ARE VERY GRATEFUL
FOR PAVAN'S CONTRIBUTION AND WE WILL CONTINUE
HIS PUSH FOR POSITIVE IMPACT ON
NATURE AND PEOPLE.
Valentin von Massow
WWF INTERNATIONAL 2021
Main image © naturepl.com / Denis-Huot / WWF, Pavan Sukhdev © WWF, Prince Philip © WWF International

http://www.naturepl.com

WWF Annual Review 2021

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of WWF Annual Review 2021