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The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) has announced the endorsement of 22 projects as the Fund’s first full-size projects. These projects will support 34 countries across all the regions and diverse ecosystems to achieve the global biodiversity commitments.
Since its launch in May 2024, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund has been rapidly developing as a full-fledged fund. The Fund aims to support countries to accelerate implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (the KMGBF). The Fund prioritises implementing a whole-of-society approach to address nature and biodiversity loss, improving polices for biodiversity across all national and subnational levels, strengthening capacities and cooperation, and mobilizing additional resources.
“China has consistently advanced the global biodiversity conservation agenda with the strongest determination and most proactive approach. The Kunming Biodiversity Fund should adhere to the principles of international operation and multilateralism, uphold fairness, openness and transparency, strengthen the supervision and management of project implementation, and continuously monitor progress and evaluate the effectiveness of approved projects.” said Hiang Runqiu, Minister of the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of the People’s Republic of China.
According to the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), one million species are at risk of extinction largely due to human activities. Ecosystems on land and in the ocean have declined dramatically with three-quarters of the land-based environment and two-thirds of the marine environment significantly altered. This accelerating loss of biodiversity threatens the foundation of economies, livelihoods, food security, and health. The KMGBF provides the roadmap to halt and reverse this decline.
“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, that will benefit at least 34 countries, 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 mobilize additional funding,” said Inger Andersen, Executive Director of UNEP.
“The endorsement of these first full-size projects represents a significant step in implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. 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,” said Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity.
