News

Seven countries have joined forces to improve marine governance and conserve the Red Sea and Gulf of Aden's unique marine ecosystems through GEF-funded initiative. Implemented by UNEP and executed by PERSGA, the initiative will help countries advance a sustainable blue economy that benefits both people and nature. 

The initiative will strengthen global monitoring of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) and mercury to support multilateral environmental agreements

Samarkand, 4 June 2026 – The Executive Director of the UN Environment Programme (UNEP), Inger Andersen, has named Edward R. Carr, Director of the Stockholm Environment Institute’s US Centre, as interim Chair of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP) to the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

Samarkand, 3 June 2026 – The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved a new project to safeguard socio-economic activities and promote sustainable land management through nature-based solutions in St. Vincent and the Grenadines. 

Addis Ababa, 25 May 2026 – Ethiopia is scaling up nature-based solutions to tackle the growing impacts of climate change, with the launch of a new US$ 9.8 million project supported by the Least Developed Countries Fund of the Global Environment Facility and implemented by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).

US$ 5.2 million GEF-funded initiative to support low-carbon and nature-positive urban development in Nairobi Project will pilot integrated green neighbourhood approaches in Kamukunji, aiming to improve living conditions for more than 85,000 residents Investment will strengthen urban planning, mobilize investment, and support transition to climate-resilient and sustainable cities in Kenya Part of glob

Donor countries have pledged an initial $3.9 billion to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for its ninth replenishment cycle, in a powerful demonstration of commitment to meeting international environmental goals through multilateral cooperation.

The significant funding will enable the GEF to bolster investment in nature-positive development, helping developing countries address their most urgent priorities and generate global environmental benefits that help people as well as ecosystems.

Rwanda will host the first-ever centralized group review of Biennial Transparency Reports (BTRs) for African Least Developed Countries (LDCs). The event will take place alongside a hands-on capacity-building training on Enhanced Transparency Framework (ETF) tools.

Phnom Penh, 20 January 2026: The Ministry of Environment of the Kingdom of Cambodia, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Cambodia and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), today officially launched the “Eliminating Hazardous Chemicals from Supply Chains Integrated Programme in Cambodia,” a Global Environment Facility (GEF)–funded initiative to phase out hazardous chemicals and accelerate the country’s shift toward circular, green supply chains.

Washington D.C., 17 December, 2025 - The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has announced USD 52.8 million for four new UN Environment Programme (UNEP)–led projects during its 70th Council meeting.

Moroni, Comoros, 11 December 2025 –The Government of the Union of Comoros today launched a major new climate resilience initiative backed by a US $10 million grant from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and US $44 million in co-financing from partners including the World Bank and the French Development Agency.

Food Waste Breakthrough targets halving global food waste by 2030 Up to 7% reduction in methane emissions also targeted Global Environment Facility commits US$3 million towards effort

Belém, 13 November 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and partners today launched a new initiative to halve food waste by 2030 and cut up to seven per cent from methane emissions as part of

Bangkok, 7 November 2025 – Seven community-based organisations across the East Asian Seas have been awarded a total of USD 350,000 through the SEA Grants program to protect and conserve marine and coastal ecosystems in the South China Sea and Gulf of Thailand.

The first Annual Plastic Reboot Conference kicks off in Salvador, Brazil from 22-24 October 2025, bringing together 15 countries and global partners tackling plastic pollution through the Plastic Reboot programme. The event marks a milestone for the USD 108 million GEF-funded global programme, advancing multilateral action and collaboration across governments, the private sector, and civil society.

Washington D.C., 16 October 2025 - The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), together with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), have officially launched the

Representatives of member governments and other GEF stakeholders gathered October 7-9, 2025, in Kasane, Botswana to review proposed plans for the multilateral trust fund in its ninth funding cycle for the 2026-2030 period.

The GEF is part of the financial mechanism to the BBNJ Agreement, supporting the conservation and sustainable use of marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction.   Ratification of the 60th and 61st countries to the BBNJ Agreement sets into motion its entry to force in 120 days.   The GEF has allocated $34 million for ratification support and implementation activities and is the largest multilateral public funder for oceans, having invested over $2.5 billion since 1992.

Nairobi, 19 August 2025 – The UN Environment Programme (UNEP) and the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) have jointly launched the Fortifying Infrastructure for Responsible Extinguishment (FIRE) project, which aims to phase out the use of toxic fluorinated firefighting foams and replace them with safer alternatives at major airports in Egypt, Ethiopia, Kenya, Nigeria, and South Africa. &n

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.

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.

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).

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.

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.  

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. 

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.