The 5th Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance

The 5th Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance, organized by the South African government and the United Nations Development Programme’s (UNDP) Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), is scheduled to take place on May 9, 2023, in Cape Town, South Africa. The event will provide an opportunity for government representatives, private sector members, experts, and academics to share experiences and engage in technical discussions on biodiversity finance solutions and investments in BIOFIN countries and regions.

Background on BIOFIN Program

The BIOFIN program, which started ten years ago, is designed to explore opportunities for biodiversity finance solutions and investments in BIOFIN countries and regions. Its primary goal is to assist member countries in creating and implementing biodiversity financing strategies that can help them achieve the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The conference will serve as a platform for discussing implementation results and informing global audiences and future initiatives.

Conference Speakers

Barbara Creecy, the Minister of Forestry, Fisheries, and the Environment, will deliver the keynote speech at the conference. The opening session will feature presentations from Karen Cope, the executive director of the United Nations Environment Programme; the Deputy Subsecretary of Sustainable Production and Policies, Executive Office of the President of Brazil; and Chan Somaly, the Under Secretary of State and National BIOFIN Focal Point, Ministry of Environment, Cambodia. Video messages from Steffi Lemke, the Federal Minister for the Environment in Germany, and Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, the CEO of the Global Environment Fund, will also be delivered.

Conference Objectives

The conference aims to discuss long-term policy solutions that can enable Official Development Assistance (ODA) eligible countries to overcome barriers and achieve an equitable nature-positive economic transition. The UNDP’s Nature, Climate, and Energy funding window will provide a contribution of £2 million under Phase II of the BIOFIN program to support this cause.

Conference Details

The conference is open to the media and will be held at the Table Bay Hotel in Cape Town. The opening session will take place from 9:00 a.m. to 10:30 a.m. on May 9, 2023. To RSVP, contact Eleanor Momberg at emomberg@dffe.gov.za or call 083 400 5741.

The 5th Global Conference on Biodiversity Finance is a significant milestone for the BIOFIN program, providing an excellent opportunity to discuss implementation results and explore solutions for financing biodiversity in a post-pandemic world. It will require a collective effort to achieve the UN’s SDGs and overcome economic barriers, making the BIOFIN program a vital tool in achieving these goals. Support from all countries is crucial to ensuring a sustainable future for our planet.