On September 30, 2026, a technical workshop was held in Libreville, Gabon, to consolidate the Biodiversity Financing Plan (PFB) through the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN). The workshop was opened by Soahangy Mamisoa Rangers, Deputy Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Gabon, and Omer Ntougou Ndoutoume, Executive Secretary of the National Parks Agency (ANPN). The PFB aims to provide a roadmap for financing biodiversity conservation in Gabon.
During the workshop, Omer Ntougou Ndoutoume emphasized that a financing plan is only valuable if it is realistic, adopted by the administrations that will implement it, and backed by bankable solutions. He noted that protecting biodiversity comes at a cost and that analyses and evaluations of financing needs have provided essential data, methodology, and a comprehensive vision for biodiversity conservation. Ntougou Ndoutoume also highlighted the importance of public-private partnerships in making biodiversity a productive asset that finances its own preservation.
The workshop brings together participants from public and private administrations, associations, and NGOs. The Deputy Resident Representative of the UNDP in Gabon, Soahangy Mamisoa Rangers, stated that the objective of the workshop is to transform the PFB into an operational roadmap. Three key outcomes are expected: validating the robustness and feasibility of each solution, prioritizing and sequencing actions, and identifying project leaders and monitoring mechanisms.
The PFB is being developed through the BIOFIN initiative, which aims to provide a comprehensive approach to financing biodiversity conservation. The plan will be a living and accountable tool, with a clear roadmap for implementation. The workshop will lead to the formulation of recommendations and the adoption of a roadmap for the PFB.
Omer Ntougou Ndoutoume also emphasized that the PFB should be designed to ensure that benefits are shared with local communities, who should be the primary beneficiaries of biodiversity conservation. He noted that this approach will help to protect and valorize these communities. The workshop will help to identify the main stakeholders and mechanisms for implementing the PFB.
The technical workshop is a crucial step towards implementing the PFB in Gabon. The country's biodiversity is rich and diverse, but it faces significant threats, including deforestation, habitat degradation, and climate change. The PFB will help to mobilize resources and coordinate efforts to conserve Gabon's biodiversity.
The workshop will conclude with recommendations and a clear roadmap for the PFB. The plan is expected to be finalized and implemented in the coming months. The success of the PFB will depend on the collaboration and commitment of all stakeholders, including government agencies, private sector organizations, and local communities.
Key points
- The workshop aims to transform the PFB into an operational roadmap.
- The PFB will be a living and accountable tool for financing biodiversity conservation.
- The plan will prioritize and sequence actions, with a focus on short-term and medium-term goals.
