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.
Further pledges in support of a robust and ambitious four-year financing round are expected by the GEF Council meeting at the end of May, when the final replenishment package will be approved.
“This replenishment sends a clear message: the world is not giving up on nature even in a time of competing priorities. Our donor countries have risen to the challenge and made bold commitments towards a more positive future for the planet. The coming four years of the GEF-9 cycle will reflect this high-ambition push to achieve the 2030 environmental goals,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.
“I especially want to thank our donors for their endorsement of the multilateral environmental agreements as important vehicles of international cooperation when it comes to planetary health, and for their ambitious investment in the GEF as an organization that plays a unique role bringing countries together and supporting lasting results,” added Gascon.
The GEF-9 investment cycle will cover the period from July 2026 to June 2030. The GEF serves as a financial mechanism of six international environmental conventions: Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC), Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, UN Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD), Minamata Convention on Mercury, and the Agreement on Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement).
“Germany is proud to continue its strong support for the GEF. We are convinced that we need multilateral cooperation more than ever to protect our planet for future generations. Environmental action and sustainable development have to go hand in hand. In GEF-9, we see Germany’s priorities very well reflected: innovative finance for nature and people, better cooperation with the private sector, and stable resources for the most vulnerable countries,” said Niels Annen, State Secretary, Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development of Germany.
“As Germany, we’re proud to do our part and ensure that the GEF has the necessary core funding to implement these priorities until 2030 – in a joint effort with other contributing countries from the Global North and the Global South. Together, we are investing in the global environment and a just and sustainable world for all,” added Annen.
The replenishment comes at a pivotal juncture. Global assessments show rapid and alarming declines in biodiversity and ecosystems, with the planet approaching critical tipping points. The new funds will support developing countries — those most vulnerable to environmental degradation — in integrating the value of nature into their national development plans, budgets, and economies, while catalyzing private finance to close the persistent environmental financing gap.
Four overarching priorities will define the ambition and approach for the GEF over the next four years:
Integration and Integrated Programs: GEF-9 integrated programs will support countries in shifting five key systems — nature, food, urban, energy, and health — from regimes that drive degradation to alternative ones that safeguard the planet and support the wellbeing of humanity by integrating the value of nature in production and consumption systems.
Blended Finance: GEF-9 will have a larger blended finance global program and an effort to mainstream blended finance across the GEF trust fund with an aspirational target of programming 25 percent of its resources to mobilize private capital.
Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society Approaches: GEF-9 will promote nature-positive governance to move from policies with an overall negative impact on nature towards a nature-positive world while engaging civil society organizations, the private sector, youth, and women as partners in the planning and execution of GEF-supported initiatives.
Robust Funding for LDCs and SIDS, and a Significant Increase in Support to IPLCs: GEF-9 has a goal of allocating 35 percent of its resources for the Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States, and 20 percent to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
“The environmental crises we face are accelerating. GEF-9 is a vote of confidence in an institution that has consistently delivered results at scale. This replenishment will sharpen the GEF’s focus on impact, drive greater efficiency, and mobilize private finance alongside public investment. It will also strengthen support to SIDS and LDCs and give recognition to the importance of supporting Indigenous Peoples and local communities. In a world where every dollar must count, the GEF continues to demonstrate it is worth the investment,” said Richard Bontjer, Co-Chair of the GEF Council.
“Spain expresses its support for the outcome of the negotiations on the ninth replenishment of the GEF. Our aim is to remain consistent with the role Spain has historically played in international environmental matters and to fulfil our country’s commitment to effective multilateralism,” said Inés Carpio San Román, General Director of International Finance, Ministry of Economy, Trade and Business of Spain.
“Mexico welcomes the ambitious vision of GEF-9 and reaffirms its commitment to supporting impactful, country-driven solutions that address global environmental challenges and safeguard nature and people,” said the Mexican Ministry of Finance.
“The GEF CSO Network welcomes the GEF-9 replenishment and its commitment to strengthening a whole-of-society approach. We particularly value the goal of allocating 20 percent of resources to support Indigenous Peoples and local communities, alongside expanded engagement with civil society, women, and youth,” said Faizal Parish, Chair, GEF CSO Network.
“The GEF is strengthening trust and meaningful partnerships with Indigenous Peoples and local communities through improving how funding is delivered and structured so Indigenous Peoples are placed at the center of decision-making,” said Aliou Mustafa, GEF Indigenous Peoples Advisory Group (IPAG).
The 71st GEF Council meeting will be held in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from May 31 to June 3, 2026. The meeting will take place in advance of the Eighth GEF Assembly, when individual country pledges will be publicly announced.
