The Gabonese government is set to host a technical workshop in Libreville on September 30, 2026, to finalize the country's Biodiversity Financing Plan (PFB). The workshop, supported by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), will bring together 45 representatives from public administrations, the private sector, civil society, technical and financial partners, and the UN system. The event is part of the UNDP's Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN).
The workshop aims to consolidate the PFB, which is a crucial component of Gabon's efforts to conserve its rich biodiversity. The country's Strategy and Action Plan for National Biodiversity (SPANB) for 2026-2030 will be reviewed, with a focus on revising the budget and gathering contributions from stakeholders. Participants will also discuss a preliminary report and agree on a common roadmap to complete the PFB.
The first steering committee meeting for the BIOFIN project, held on March 18, 2026, laid the groundwork for the workshop. The committee conducted three analyses: political and institutional, expenditure on biodiversity, and evaluation of financing needs. These analyses led to several key orientations, including revising the evaluation of financing needs and the SPANB budget, continuing to develop the PFB, and prioritizing financing solutions.
Gabon's commitment to biodiversity conservation is reflected in its participation in the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework. The country has pledged to mobilize new resources and identify, reform, or reorient subsidies that harm biodiversity, as outlined in targets 18 and 19 of the framework.
The workshop is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to engage in discussions and agree on a way forward for Gabon's biodiversity conservation efforts. The PFB is a critical tool for ensuring the long-term financing of biodiversity conservation and sustainable development in the country.
The UNDP's support for Gabon's biodiversity conservation efforts is part of a broader initiative to help countries achieve their biodiversity goals. The BIOFIN initiative provides technical assistance and support to countries to develop and implement biodiversity financing plans.
The outcome of the workshop is expected to contribute to Gabon's efforts to conserve its rich biodiversity and achieve its commitments under international agreements. The finalized PFB will provide a roadmap for mobilizing resources and implementing conservation efforts in the country.
Key points
- The workshop aims to finalize Gabon's Biodiversity Financing Plan with support from the UNDP.
- The plan is part of Gabon's efforts to conserve its biodiversity and achieve its commitments under international agreements.
- The workshop will bring together stakeholders from public administrations, the private sector, civil society, and the UN system.
