Donor countries have pledged an initial $3.9 billion to the Global Environment Facility (GEF) as part of its ninth replenishment cycle (GEF-9), underscoring a strong global commitment to advancing environmental goals through multilateral cooperation.
This significant funding will enable the GEF to expand investments in nature-positive development, supporting developing countries in addressing urgent environmental challenges while delivering benefits for both people and ecosystems. Additional pledges are expected ahead of the GEF Council meeting at the end of May, where 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,” said Claude Gascon, Interim CEO and Chairperson of the GEF. “Our donor countries have 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.”
The GEF-9 investment cycle will run from July 2026 to June 2030. As a financial mechanism supporting six major international environmental conventions, the GEF plays a critical role in fostering global cooperation on biodiversity, climate change, pollution, desertification, and marine conservation.
The replenishment comes at a crucial moment, as global assessments highlight rapid declines in biodiversity and ecosystems. The new funding will help vulnerable developing nations integrate environmental priorities into national planning and mobilize private sector investment to address persistent financing gaps.
GEF-9 will focus on four key priorities:
- Integrated Programs: Transforming key systems such as food, energy, urban development, and health toward sustainable, nature-positive models.
- Blended Finance: Expanding efforts to mobilize private capital, with a target of allocating 25% of resources toward blended finance initiatives.
- Whole-of-Society Approach: Strengthening collaboration across governments, civil society, private sector, youth, and women.
- Targeted Support: Allocating 35% of resources to Least Developed Countries (LDCs) and Small Island Developing States (SIDS), and 20% to Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
Germany reaffirmed its commitment to the GEF, emphasizing the importance of multilateral cooperation in tackling global environmental challenges. Other countries, including Spain and Mexico, also expressed support for the ambitious GEF-9 vision.
“The environmental crises we face are accelerating. GEF-9 is a vote of confidence in an institution that has consistently delivered results at scale,” said Richard Bontjer, Co-Chair of the GEF Council.
The 71st GEF Council meeting is scheduled to take place from May 31 to June 3, 2026, followed by the Eighth GEF Assembly, where individual country pledges will be formally announced.
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