The 62nd meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF Council) will discuss the negotiations of the eighth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund (GEF-8). These negotiations concluded with pledges for almost USD 5.25 billion during the next four-year operating cycle. The GEF-8 replenishment will fund activities from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026.

The Work Program that Council members will consider comprises 18 projects and one program. Total resources to be approved in the proposed Work Program amount to USD 165.8 million, including GEF project financing and Agency fees. This Work Program will mark the last Work Program for GEF-7 and the fifth that has been developed and submitted during the COVID-19 pandemic.

During the consideration of relations with the Conventions for which the GEF serves as a funding mechanism, Council members will be addressed by Patricia Espinosa, Executive Secretary, UN Framework Convention on Climate Change, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity, Rolph Payet, Executive Secretary, Basel, Rotterdam, and Stockholm Conventions, and Monika Stankiewicz, Executive Secretary, Minamata Convention on Mercury.

In addition to these and other agenda items, Council members will also convene as the 32nd Meeting of the Council for the Least Developed Countries Fund and the Special Climate Change Fund (LDCF/SCCF). This Council will discuss the GEF Programming Strategy on Adaptation to Climate Change for the LDCF/SCCF for the GEF-8 period of 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2026. The proposed Work Program for the LDCF comprises eight projects for USD 72.44 million from the LDCF, inclusive of GEF project financing and Agency fees.

The 62nd GEF Council meeting is taking place from 21-23 June, at the Hilton McLean Tysons Corner in McLean, Virginia, US. The GEF Council comprises 32 members appointed by constituencies of GEF member countries. Fourteen members are from developed countries, sixteen are from developing countries, and two are from countries with economies in transition. The Council convenes twice a year to develop, adopt, and evaluate the operational policies and programs for GEF-financed activities. The GEF Council also reviews and approves a work program at each meeting.