Representatives from 185 member countries of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), including Nigeria, are convening in Vancouver this week to discuss ways to protect nature, provide financial support to countries, and address global environmental priorities in the face of disasters.
The GEF Assembly, held every four years, coordinates financing for international initiatives related to climate change, biodiversity loss, pollution, and land and ocean health.
Meanwhile, the current gathering will focus on the present dangers of nature loss and climate change, with attendees coming together to find new ways to heal the planet.
The Assembly will focus on three dimensions: emphasizing the role of science in preserving biodiversity, generating additional funding to address climate change and pollution, and making environmental governance more inclusive and representative of historically marginalized groups.
Furthermore, one highlight of the Assembly will be the launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund (GBFF), which will support developing countries in their nature conservation efforts and specifically assist Indigenous Peoples.
The GEF will also become part of the financial mechanism for the United Nations\’ new agreement on preserving biodiversity in marine areas beyond national jurisdiction. The GEF\’s scope will thus expand beyond climate change to include a broader range of environmental challenges.
Moreover, the Assembly will also feature a dedicated partnership forum to give a voice to civil society groups that have historically been underrepresented at intergovernmental events. Furthermore, there will be discussions on the role of science and the private sector in collaboration with governments.
The meeting comes at a critical time when environmental pressures are increasingly evident worldwide. Despite the challenges, the GEF Assembly aims to bring countries together to tackle these issues and forge a path toward a safer and healthier planet.
Credit: The Guardian.
