Launched in May 2024, the KBF has rapidly evolved into a fully operational international fund dedicated to reversing nature loss and strengthening national biodiversity capacity. The Fund supports countries in implementing a whole-of-society approach to conservation – improving biodiversity policy across national and subnational levels, strengthening cooperation and capacity, and mobilising new sources of finance to protect ecosystems.
“China has consistently advanced the global biodiversity conservation agenda with the strongest determination and most proactive approach. The Kunming Biodiversity Fund should uphold fairness, openness and transparency, strengthen supervision and management of project implementation, and continuously monitor progress and evaluate effectiveness,” said HUANG Runqiu, Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China.
Accelerating implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework
According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), one million species are now at risk of extinction, largely due to human activity. Three-quarters of the world’s land-based environments and two-thirds of marine ecosystems have been significantly altered. The KMGBF provides a global roadmap to halt and reverse biodiversity decline by 2030, recognising that ecosystem loss threatens economies, food systems, and human health worldwide.
“Globally, biodiversity is vanishing at an alarming pace. For this reason, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund is moving quickly – approving projects and channelling finance to developing countries that need it most. The 22 newly approved projects will fast-track efforts to halt and reverse nature loss in line with global goals. It is a strong start, but with much more to do, we invite other partners to join us and help mobilise additional funding,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
Turning commitments into action
The newly endorsed projects represent a critical step in turning biodiversity commitments into measurable outcomes. Each project aims to align national biodiversity strategies with the global framework, improving conservation governance and resource mobilisation in developing countries.
“The endorsement of these first full-size projects represents a significant step in implementing the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). “Through the Kunming Biodiversity Fund, countries will be better equipped to align their national strategies and strengthen implementation to turn commitments into action. Continued investment and support will be vital to sustain momentum and tackle biodiversity loss.”
The Fund’s first portfolio of projects is expected to deliver tangible benefits for species protection, sustainable land use, and ecosystem restoration across Africa, Asia-Pacific, Latin America, and small island developing states.
