News

René Etoua Meto'o runs a small cacao plantation just outside of Cameroon’s Dja Faunal Reserve, one of the world’s largest intact stretches of rainforest.  

On July 24, 2025, an awareness workshop on Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM) was held in Gusau, Zamfara State, Nigeria. Bringing together public institutions, technical experts, civil society, and local communities, the event highlighted the urgent need to address the mounting pressures on water resources in the Niger Basin and the Iullemeden-Taoudéni/Tanezrouft Aquifer System (ITTAS).

Antananarivo, 15 July 2025 – Madagascar has officially launched a landmark initiative aimed at enhancing climate resilience by restoring critical coastal ecosystems and improving livelihoods across vulnerable regions.

Zimbabwe’s artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector plays a central role in the national economy, contributing over 65% of gold production and supporting an estimated 500,000 miners. However, the sector remains largely informal and heavily reliant on mercury for gold extraction—posing serious risks to human health, the environment, and long-term sustainability.

Artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) is an important source of livelihood for more than 30,000 Zambians, yet the sector is largely informal and heavily reliant on mercury—a toxic substance with significant health and environmental risks. To address these challenges, the planetGOLD Zambia project is working to transform the sector by reducing mercury use, promoting formalization, and improving access to finance and cleaner technologies.

Santiago, 3rd July 2025- The Government of Chile has launched the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Programme, a four-year, USD 5.3 million initiative aimed at accelerating climate action and reversing nature loss.

From March to May each year, dark smoke laden with harmful particulate matter and carbon dioxide drifts across the mountain forests of the Lao People's Democratic Republic (Lao PDR) as frantic villagers try to beat back the flames tearing through the trees. 

Kribi, Cameroon, 17 June 2025 — Today marks the launch of the Congo Forest Integrated Programme (IP) and Guinean Forests IP, both supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and led respectively by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and Conservation International (CI).

Washington D.C., 2 June 2025 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced USD27.2m for three new UN Environment Programme (UNEP) led projects during its 69th Council meeting. The projects aim to deliver practical solutions to pressing environmental challenges, including tackling pollution and enhancing climate transparency.  

Colombo, Sri Lanka, 2 June 2025 — In an effort to strengthen global efforts on mercury monitoring and control, a weeklong series of technical trainings and coordination events is underway from 2–6 June 2025 in Colombo, Sri Lanka. The initiative brings together customs and enforcement authorities, government representatives, health and environment experts, and international partners to support the effective implementation of the Minamata Convention on Mercury.

Beirut, 28 May 2025 – The Sultanate of Oman today marked the successful conclusion of a project supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF), with the launch of its National Minamata Initial Assessment (MIA) Report. The project, implemented by the Environment Authority with technical assistance from the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), strengthens Oman’s capacity to safely manage hazardous chemicals and fulfill its international environmental obligations. 

Once upon a time, in the vibrant lands of Morocco and Lebanon, two nations embarked on an extraordinary journey to protect their precious water resources. Their story is one of innovation, resilience, and unity, overcoming challenges and driving a vision for a sustainable future.

The story of Morocco

The 2025 BRS COP (Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions) took place from April 28 to May 9, 2025, under the theme "Making the Invisible Visible." This powerful message highlights often-overlooked forms of pollution that silently impact our world, emphasizing the need for collective action to address these challenges. The significance of this COP was underscored by the participation of the heads of seven multilateral environmental agreements, reflecting the growing recognition that environmental cr

ULAANBAATAR, MONGOLIA – After six years, the planetGOLD Mongolia project officially concludes, marking a significant milestone in eliminating mercury use in Mongolia’s artisanal and small-scale gold mining (ASGM) sector.

In the steep red hills of the Ngororero district in northwest Rwanda, Antoine Nsanzumuhire gently lifts a honeycomb from one of his beehives. Bees are swirling around him as he delicately lifts the latticework, rich in golden honey. 

Geneva, 12 May 2025 – Over 50 representatives from Small Island Developing States (SIDS) are gathering at the Palais des Nations in Geneva for the first in-person ISLANDS Forum to strengthen sound management of chemicals and waste in these uniquely vulnerable nations.

Vienna, 7 May 2025 – Hosted by the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) in its Austrian premises, the Global Environment Facility (GEF)’s third Agencies Communications Retreat brought together over 30 participants representing UN agencies, multilateral development banks and non-governmental organizations in Vienna from 5 to 6 May 2025.

When passengers step out of the arrivals’ terminal at Costa Rica’s Juan Santamaría International Airport, there’s a chance they’ll be greeted by what is a rare sight in Central America: an electric taxi. 

The bright red sedans—of which there are six—whir passengers to the nearby Costa Rican capital, San Jose, and other parts of the country.   

The first-ever formal loan program for artisanal miners in #BurkinaFaso 🇧🇫 launched earlier this year through a collaboration between the planetGOLD project and

Persistent Organic Pollutants (POPs) are our "Worst Friends Forever" (WFF). These organic chemicals persist in the environment for extended periods, spreading through air, water, and soil. They accumulate in living organisms and pose significant toxic risks to both humans and the environment.

To combat these dangers, scientists and governments have united under the Stockholm Convention. This collaboration aims to monitor these pollutants and safeguard human health and the environment from their harmful impact.

The whole is greater than the sum of its parts.

The GEF funded Mediterranean Sea Programme (MedProgramme) is more than a collection of projects; it’s a powerful force for change, bringing together countries, partners, and sectors to drive environmental progress.

At the Third Annual Stocktaking Meeting (ASM) in Istanbul, Türkiye, participants gathered to reflect on achievements, share knowledge, and explore new ways to amplify impact under the theme “The MedProgramme: Greater than the Sum of its Parts”.

For much of the last decade, Somalia has tipped in and out of drought, with dry spells withering rivers, turning farms into dustbowls and forcing millions from their homes. 

With waves rippling from its bow, a small motorboat shoots across the languid Gambia River, the rat-tattle of its outboard motor echoing out across the waterway.  

This week, delegates from around the world will gather in New York City to discuss what has been called one of the most important environmental accords in recent history: the Agreement on Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (

The sun has set in Johannesburg, South Africa and Nntuthuzelo Ndwandwa, 39, is returning home from her job as a customer care consultant. When once she would have glanced nervously into the shadows, now she walks through a complex illuminated by solar-powered lights and enters her home, where a solar-powered heater doles out warm water for washing up.