Key Impact Points:
- Bangladesh unveils national plan under UNDP-led BIOFIN to unlock sustainable finance for biodiversity.
- The initiative proposes a National Biodiversity Trust Fund, eco-tourism revenue sharing, and ecosystem service payments.
- UNDP and government leaders call for integrated environmental governance and innovative financing to protect natural assets.
Bangladesh Commits to Nature Finance Through BIOFIN Programme
Bangladesh has launched the Umbrella Programme to Support Development of Biodiversity Finance Plans, a major national step to close the biodiversity finance gap and advance sustainable development.
The initiative forms part of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN)—a UNDP-led global programme supported by the Global Environment Facility, now active in over 130 countries.
Speaking at the launch event, Dr. Farhina Ahmed, Secretary of the Ministry of Environment, Forest and Climate Change (MoEFCC), said:
“This initiative provides a crucial platform to close financing gaps and achieve sustainable development for both people and planet.”
A National Biodiversity Trust Fund Proposed
Held at the Department of Environment (DoE), the launch featured participation from UNDP, MoEFCC, and key national stakeholders. Arif M. Faisal, UNDP Programme Specialist, outlined the current biodiversity financing shortfalls and recommended a National Biodiversity Trust Fund, along with biodiversity budget tagging, eco-tourism revenue sharing, and payments for ecosystem services.
“Ecosystems are foundational economic assets. Investing in biodiversity means investing in food and water security, climate resilience, and human well-being,” said Sonali Dayaratne, Resident Representative (a.i.), UNDP Bangladesh.
Global Solutions, Local Action
Dr. Md. Kamruzzaman, ndc, Director General of the DoE, called the launch:
“a milestone,” urging collaborative action to enhance resilience and protect biodiversity through innovative financing.
The event included interactive sessions on global best practices, national strategies like the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP), and alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework.
Annabelle C. Trinidad, BIOFIN’s Senior Technical Advisor, added international insights on innovative finance instruments for conservation.
Toward Nature-Positive Development
Bringing together government, civil society, academia, the private sector, and development partners, the initiative reflects a unified national and global push for nature-positive development through sustainable finance.
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