Highlights and images for 15 December 2025

Opening the 70th meeting of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council, GEF CEO and Chairperson Carlos Manuel Rodríguez welcomed delegates to the second-to-last Council gathering before the ninth replenishment cycle (GEF-9) and reflected on progress under the USD 5.3 billion GEF-8 cycle.

Rodríguez reported that more than 40 policy commitments have been fully implemented during the GEF-8 cycle and that the GEF is on track to deliver significant environmental benefits. He emphasized the importance of global policy coherence, inclusion, and whole-of-society implementation. He highlighted achievements in capacity development, and increased financial support for civil society.

Council Co-Chair Richard Bontjer, Australia, highlighted the GEF’s positive impact on the lives of hundreds of millions of people while delivering sustainable environmental benefits. He noted steady progress in integrating inclusion across the institution's policies, programs, and delivery mechanisms. He also praised the Council’s decision on the risk appetite of the GEF. He described it as a turning point that enables the family of funds to accept higher levels of risk, thereby driving innovation and delivering greater impact on the ground.

The Secretariat then presented the GEF Monitoring Report 2025, highlighting strong portfolio performance and measurable environmental outcomes across all GEF-8 focal areas, alongside improvements in timeliness and proactive risk management. The Secretariat explained that higher risk ratings at early project stages reflect more rigorous risk identification and mitigation measures, contributing to more moderate risk profiles during implementation.

Council members broadly welcomed the report, commending the strong focus on gender equality, local-community empowerment and private-sector engagement, the application of the risk-appetite framework, and progress in marine protected areas and habitat conservation. Several raised concerns about delays in securing co-financing, performance variations among Implementing Agencies, and persistent higher risks in least developed countries (LDCs) and in fragile and conflict-affected situations.

The Council also approved the Work Program for the GEF Trust Fund, which comprises 30 projects and programs totaling USD 296 million. It is expected to mobilize USD 1.8 billion in co-financing, and will bring total GEF-8 programming to approximately 83%.

Council members broadly supported the program, welcoming its focus on integrated approaches and the level of private-sector co-financing. One Member noted that the high level of support for LDCs and small island developing states should help the Secretariat advocate for greater funding and efficiency.

Some members also called for a second review of specific projects, expressing concerns about security and fiduciary risks in some host countries and, highlighting the need for effective use of resources, questioned whether certain projects could be implemented without GEF support.

Rosina Bierbaum, Chairperson of the Scientific and Technical Advisory Panel (STAP), presented her report, outlining scientific updates, STAP briefs and reports, Work Program observations, and proposals for future work. She also introduced three STAP briefs on:

• Fostering cooperation and managing conflict in GEF transboundary water projects;
• Strengthening GEF support for Indigenous Peoples: Issues of governance, project design, financial access, and livelihood benefits; and
• Real-time monitoring, evaluation, and learning in GEF-9.

The Council meeting will continue on Tuesday to consider, among other things, evaluations of the GEF Food Systems Programs and the Eighth Comprehensive Evaluation of the GEF.