News

The Meloy Fund, funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and a first-of-its-kind public-private partnership has been launched with a first close of US $10 million.

From July 25-27, the GEF Gender Partnership gathered experts from thirty international and civil society organizations to provide ideas on how to mainstream gender into GEF-7 programming. It also provided feedback on the forthcoming policy on Gender Equality which tries to maximize opportunities for promoting gender equality and women’s empowerment in its programs and projects.

Africa’s population is expected to double from 1.26 billion today to over two and half billion by 2050, little more than 30 years from now. At the same time, land degradation, loss of biodiversity and the effects of climate change pose increasing challenges to the continent’s agriculture sector, particularly smallholder farmers.  If left unchecked, these challenges will threaten the food security of millions of people, particularly in the drylands.

“Our land. Our home. Our Future,” is the theme for the World Day to Combat Desertification (WDCD), observed every year on June 17 to promote public awareness of international efforts to combat land degradation.

by Nicholas Stern and Naoko Ishii

Our global commons – the land, seas and atmosphere we share, and the ecosystems they host – are under severe threat from human activities. 

We are at risk of irreversibly damaging the natural assets of the planet that allow human communities to thrive and prosper.

Today is World Environment Day. Since 1974, the world comes together on June 5^th to bring awareness to our environment and the action required from all of us to protect it.

This year’s theme "Connecting People to Nature," and UN Environment is urging people to “go outside and show us that you’re #WithNature.  Breathe in the beauty and remember that by keeping our planet healthy, we keep ourselves healthy too.”

In 2016 the Global Environment Facility (GEF) approved the Global Opportunities for Long-term Development (GOLD) in the Artisanal Small-scale Gold Mining sector programme to help artisanal gold miners eliminate the use of mercury in gold mining, reduce harmful risks to their health and the environment and create sustainable livelihood opportunities.

New projects approved for Small Island Developing States and Least Developed Countries 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) 52^nd Council wrapped up three days of meetings today with co-chairs, GEF CEO, Naoko Ishii and Germany Council member, Phillip Knill, thanking participants for their “spirt of cooperation.”

The 52^nd GEF Council Meeting opened today in Washington, DC and will run May 23-25, 2017. Reminding delegates of both the current threats to the environment, as well as emerging opportunities to transform key economic systems, Naoko Ishii, GEF CEO & Chairperson said “We have an unprecedented opportunity to make a difference.”

From combatting illegal wildlife trade to the promotion of ecotourism and inspiring nature protection through poetry, the GEF is working with a wide range of partners to highlight the importance of biodiversity today.

The International Day for Biological Diversity (IDB) 2017, celebrated each year on May 22, is an opportunity for the international community to reflect on the importance of conserving biodiversity for our planet’s health and for future generations, and think of the challenges ahead.