Bangladesh Launches Biodiversity Finance Plan to Protect Nature

Bangladesh has officially launched the "Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans," marking a significant step toward securing sustainable financing for biodiversity conservation.

The initiative forms part of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), a global partnership led by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF). BIOFIN works with more than 130 countries to develop innovative financial solutions to protect nature.

The launch event was held at the Department of Environment (DoE) and co-organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC) and UNDP, highlighting Bangladesh’s commitment to mobilising resources for biodiversity in line with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of MoEFCC, emphasised the urgency of integrated environmental governance.
“This initiative provides a vital platform to close financing gaps and achieve sustainable development for both people and the planet,” she said.

Resident Representative of UNDP Bangladesh Sonali Dayaratne reaffirmed UNDP’s support, underlining that ecosystems are foundational economic assets.
“Investing in biodiversity means investing in food and water security, climate resilience, and human well-being,” she said.

UNDP Programme Specialist Arif M Faisal outlined the current biodiversity finance status in Bangladesh, noting existing funding gaps. He proposed key measures including the establishment of a National Biodiversity Trust Fund, biodiversity budget tagging, eco-tourism revenue sharing, and payments for ecosystem services.

DoE Director General Dr Md Kamruzzaman, chairing the event, described the launch as “a milestone” and called for collaborative action to enhance resilience and protect biodiversity through innovative financing.

The event included high-level remarks from MoEFCC officials, interactive sessions on global best practices, and discussions on financing approaches aligned with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), National Biodiversity Targets, and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Senior Technical Advisor of BIOFIN Annabelle C. Trinidad provided a global perspective on the programme and highlighted various innovative financial instruments for nature conservation.

Representatives from government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and development partners joined the event, united by the goal to make nature-positive development a reality through sustainable finance.