The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council Members will consider a new work program of the GEF Trust Fund under GEF’s eighth replenishment cycle, how to streamline the GEF project cycle, and possible actions to support the new agreement on conservation and sustainable use of marine biological diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ).

Parties reviewed the main findings of an independent midterm assessment of the Strategic Framework (2018-2030), and reiterated the interlinkages between land degradation, climate change, and biodiversity, and the need for increased synergies with the Rio Conventions. A high-level event affirmed the growing recognition of the importance of sand and dust storms.

The 65th meeting of the Council of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) took place in a virtual setting, focusing on the GEF Strategy for Knowledge Management and Learning; enhancing policy coherence; and relations with Conventions and international institutions. Council Members further decided on the dates for the 66th to 68th Council meetings in 2024.

While the concept of exploring an international agreement on environmental aspects of mining was widely regarded as premature, delegates expressed interest in a global assessment of existing instruments and mining standards, greater efforts at capacity building and technical assistance, and the creation of a global sand observatory.