The Cabinet has approved the launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) – Early Action Support Project, which will receive funding from the Global Environment Facility (GEF).
According to a statement from the Office of the Prime Minister, the GEF is the largest multilateral trust fund aimed at helping developing nations invest in environmental sustainability. It supports various international environmental agreements related to biodiversity, climate change, chemical management, and desertification.
Fiji will utilize this project to evaluate its key biodiversity focus areas in accordance with the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) for the period from 2020 to 2025. The objective is to align these areas with the new biodiversity targets set by the Global Biodiversity Framework.
The initiative will employ a comprehensive approach involving both government and societal participation, which includes an Inter-Ministerial NBSAP dialogue as well as consultations with essential stakeholders such as government entities, civil society, non-governmental organizations, regional bodies, resource owners, and academic institutions.
The project is expected to be completed by February 28, 2025.