Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, GEF CEO and Chairperson:
The Global Environment Facility welcomes the 650 million yen contribution to the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund announced by Japan during COP28 in Dubai. This early financial support is essential to the success of the GBF Fund, whose grants will support urgent action to help stop and reverse biodiversity loss – turning the ambitious targets agreed one year ago in Montreal into reality. With its contribution, Japan joins Canada, Germany, and the United Kingdom as the first four donors to the GBF Fund. We are grateful to the Government of Japan for its long-term partnership, trust, and leadership in support of a nature-positive future. The GBF Fund will have its first governing body meeting in February, with projects set to be funded by the end of 2024.