'A healthy planet makes lasting development possible'
More than 2,000 people across the Global Environment Facility partnership gathered in Uzbekistan with ambition and pragmatism to welcome the $3.9 billion GEF-9 replenishment and share ideas and energy to propel the sprint towards 2030 international goals.
Delegates from around the world joined roundtable discussions, side events, and workshops on priorities for the next four years, including integration, blended finance, whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches, scaling up support for Least Developed Countries, Small Island Developing States, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Throughout the discussions and high-level proceedings, participants stressed that while environmental challenges are severe and extensive, investments in protecting and restoring nature are helping to build healthier and more resilient economies as well as ecosystems.
“A healthy planet makes lasting development possible,” Interim CEO Claude Gascon told the concluding session of the Eighth GEF Assembly, thanking the Government of Uzbekistan for hosting the flagship gathering and for becoming the multilateral fund’s newest donor to support action in the next four years.
“The last sprint to 2030 has begun. Let us act with urgency. Let us act with purpose. And let us act together — for people, for the planet, and for the many generations to come who will judge what we chose to do with this moment.”
Event Coverage by IISD ENB
IISD Earth Negotiations Bulletin provided daily Council and Assembly coverage with summaries and photos.
Friday, June 5
Assembly
Highlights and Images
Thursday, June 4
Assembly
Daily Report
Highlights and Images
Wednesday, June 3
Civil Society Forum
6th GBFF Council Meeting
Daily Report
Highlights and Images
Tuesday, June 2
40th LDCF/SCCF Council Meeting
6th GBFF Council Meeting
Daily Report
Highlights and Images
Monday, June 1
71st GEF Council Meeting
Daily Report
Highlights and Images
Sunday, May 31
71st GEF Council Meeting
Daily Report
Highlights and Images
ABOUT THE ASSEMBLY
The Eighth Global Environment Facility Assembly is the premier gathering of the GEF partnership, bringing together government officials from 186 member countries, environmental leaders, policymakers, civil society, Indigenous Peoples, the private sector, youth from around the world, among others.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly is the highest governing body of the GEF, bringing together representatives from all 186 member countries every four years to review policies, evaluate the performance of GEF-funded projects, and set priorities for future environmental action. It serves as a unique platform for ministers, government officials, scientists, civil society, and private sector leaders to discuss pressing global environmental issues such as biodiversity loss, climate change, pollution, and land degradation. The Assembly provides strategic direction and fosters international cooperation, ensuring that GEF’s funding mechanisms align with evolving global environmental needs and commitments, including those of the United Nations conventions.
The Assembly showcases successful projects and innovations financed by the GEF across various regions, highlighting how collaborative funding can deliver impactful, scalable solutions for environmental sustainability. Through these discussions and showcases, the Assembly not only strengthens accountability and transparency within the GEF system but also reinforces global solidarity in addressing complex environmental challenges.
“The Eighth Assembly comes at a pivotal moment. With just four years left to honor the promises of the 2030 agenda, we must unite governments, the private sector, and civil society around a single Nature–Climate–Pollution framework and set in motion the large-scale, inclusive action our planet demands.”
- Claude Gascon, Interim GEF CEO and Chairperson
“For centuries Samarkand has connected nations along the Silk Road. This time it will connect through a shared commitment to environmental sustainability. Hosting the GEF Assembly in Uzbekistan reaffirms our belief that only through partnership, solidarity and shared responsibility can we secure a sustainable planet for generations to come.”
- Aziz Abdukhakimov, Advisor to the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan on Environment, and Chairman of the National Committee on Ecology and Climate Change
ASSEMBLY VOLUNTEERS
The Global Environment Facility extends its gratitude to the dedicated volunteer team of local university students from across the Samarkand region. From coordinating registration, assisting with orientation, to providing on-the-ground support at every turn, their commitment and hospitality were an important part of the Assembly's success.
DISCOVER UZBEKISTAN
Uzbekistan and Samarkand
Located in Central Asia, Uzbekistan features a diverse landscape, ranging from rolling sandy deserts to mountains along its borders with Tajikistan and Kyrgyzstan, as well as the remnants of the Aral Sea in the west.
Uzbekistan is renowned for its captivating architecture and ancient sites in cities such as Khiva, Samarkand, and Bukhara. These cities were once among the world’s busiest and most significant trading centers, situated at the heart of the Silk Road.
Samarkand, located in southeastern Uzbekistan, is one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in Central Asia. Today, modern Samarkand is divided into two distinct areas: the old city and the new city. The old city is home to historical monuments, traditional shops, and private residences, while the new city features administrative buildings, cultural centers, and educational institutions.
Assembly Venue
Within the Silk Road Samarkand Tourist Complex, the Silk Road Congress Center is a state-of-the-art facility spanning over 28,000 square meters. Purpose-built for major international conferences, summits, and exhibitions, the center features 12 modern meeting halls and a main plenary hall that can accommodate up to 3,500 participants.
Blending oriental architectural elegance with cutting-edge audiovisual and interpretation technologies, the venue provides an exceptional setting for large-scale events.
With integrated accommodation, event, and leisure facilities, the Silk Road Congress Center serves as one of Central Asia’s premier sites for global assemblies, offering both modern infrastructure and strong cultural identity rooted in the Silk Road heritage.