The 5th Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance: A Pathway towards a Sustainable Future

The 5th Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance is set to take place on May 9th, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa. The event is a joint effort between the South African Government and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and will mark the 10th anniversary of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (Biofin). The conference aims to bring together representatives from member countries, government officials, private sector stakeholders, experts, and academics to explore opportunities for biodiversity finance solutions and investments in Biofin countries and regions.

Keynote Address

Ms. Barbara Creecy, Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, will deliver the keynote address at the conference. The event will also feature an opening session with esteemed speakers such as the Under-Secretary General of the UN, the executive director of UNEP, Ms. Inger Andersen, Ms. Karen Cope of Brazil, and H.E. Chan Somaly of Cambodia. Video messages from the Federal Minister for the Environment in Germany, Steffi Lemke, and the CEO of the Global Environment Fund, Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, will also be presented.

A Platform for Collaboration

The conference will provide a platform for attendees to share experiences and engage in technical discussions. The exchange of ideas will inform global audiences and inspire future initiatives in the realm of biodiversity finance. The conference will bring together all 41 Biofin countries and provide valuable insights and potential avenues for future growth.

UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative

The UNDP’s Biodiversity Finance Initiative has played a crucial role in providing technical assistance and capacity building to support long-term policy solutions. These efforts enable Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries to overcome barriers and secure an equitable nature-positive economic transition. The initiative contributes significantly to the UN’s Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) centered around poverty reduction, climate change, and gender equality.

Funding and Media Attendance

The conference has received support from the UNDP’s ‘Nature, Climate, and Energy’ (NCE) funding window, with a contribution of £2 million earmarked for Phase II of the Biofin program. The media is invited to attend this landmark event, which will take place at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town from 9h00 to 10h30 on May 9th, 2023. The conference promises to be an insightful and engaging exploration of the vital role biodiversity finance plays in our global environment and the innovative solutions it can offer to help build a more sustainable future for all. Through valuable discussions and networking opportunities, attendees will have the chance to learn from each other and collaborate on new strategies and solutions to drive progress in biodiversity finance.