Nigeria has been named among 11 countries to benefit from the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme, a new global initiative that seeks to align climate and biodiversity goals through targeted national projects and a shared platform for innovation, capacity building and knowledge exchange.
The programme, jointly launched by the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and the Global Environment Facility (GEF), in partnership with the Development Bank of Latin America (CAF) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), will also support Chile, Costa Rica, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, Mauritius, Mexico, Morocco, Tanzania, Thailand, Trinidad and Tobago, and Vietnam.
With $100 million in GEF funding and an additional $700 million in co-financing, the initiative will be led by UNEP, with CAF and ADB as co-leads. Its core objective is to drive systemic economic and financial transformation by integrating nature and climate goals, mobilising public and private investments, and catalysing action across governments, businesses and communities.
The launch marks a pivotal moment in global sustainability efforts, signalling a shift towards unified, systems-level approaches to environmental challenges. By building on existing frameworks that promote inclusive governance, cross-sectoral coordination, and innovative financing, the programme aims to lay the groundwork for deeper integration under the upcoming GEF-9 replenishment cycle, where UNEP and partners plan to scale up implementation and expand country participation.
Country-level implementation will be supported by UNDP, United Nations Industrial Development Organisation (UNIDO) and the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO).
The official launch took place on the sidelines of the 2025 World Bank Group/International Monetary Fund (IMF) Annual Meetings, during a high-level event with the theme ‘Catalysing Public and Private Finance to Accelerate Net-Zero Nature-Positive Action’.
It brought together finance ministers from participating countries, leaders of multilateral development banks, private sector stakeholders, and international organisations, all united by the goal of driving coordinated global investment in climate and nature.
“We welcome the launch of the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Programme as a timely and transformative initiative,” said Co-Chair of the Coalition of Finance Ministers for Climate Action (CFMCA), Dr Sam Mugume, during his keynote address. “As we confront the realities of climate change and biodiversity loss, aligning our financial systems with environmental priorities is not just necessary, it is urgent.
“This programme offers a unique opportunity to mobilise public and private finance, build institutional capacity, and integrate nature-based solutions into our national development strategies. We are proud to stand with our partners in advancing a sustainable, resilient and inclusive future for all.”
Finance ministers from Chile, Mexico, Indonesia, and Nigeria also reaffirmed their commitment to integrate biodiversity considerations into national economic planning and to strengthen cooperation under the programme.
Similarly, the CEO and Chairperson of the GEF, Carlos Rodríguez, described the initiative as a milestone in aligning finance with both climate and biodiversity objectives.
“GEF funding helps countries reduce risk, increase resilience, and tackle environmental crises. This programme will enable nations to mobilise finance at scale, integrate nature-based solutions into decarbonisation strategies, and accelerate the systemic change needed for a sustainable future,” he said.
In her remarks, UNEP Executive Director, Inger Andersen, underscored the urgency of addressing the climate and biodiversity crises in tandem.
“The science is clear: climate change and biodiversity loss are deeply interconnected, so they must be tackled together. Through the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Programme, we are helping 12 countries integrate and accelerate climate and nature action to build resilience and set the groundwork for low-carbon growth.
“Thanks to the support of the GEF and our partners, we’re scaling up solutions that transform economies, create jobs, and protect ecosystems. Now is the time to act together for a net-zero, nature-positive future,” Andersen said.
