Vancouver, Canada
Environmental leaders from 185 countries will gather in Vancouver for the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility to discuss solutions to ensure a healthy planet with healthy people. The event will be a critical stocktaking for 2030 goals to end pollution and nature loss, combat climate change, and propel inclusive, locally-led conservation.
The Global Environment Facility (GEF) is the financial backbone of multilateral environmental agreements for a "healthy planet and healthy people". Agriculture, with its substantial carbon and ecological footprint, holds immense potential for transformation. Small-scale farms contribute to agrobiodiversity, carbon sequestration and sustainable land management, forming the bedrock for a harmonious planet and population.
Since 2001, the IFAD-GEF partnership has tackled global challenges benefitting 78 million people across 100 countries, improving their livelihoods and delivering resilience-building solutions across food systems, climate and nature. With a people-centred approach, IFAD equips rural communities to adapt to environmental threats, connecting underserved populations with sustainable development while amplifying their voice.
SIDE EVENTS
22 August | 09:00–10:30 | Room 211 | How to foster youth engagement in GEF projects
More than 1.2 billion young people are a potential powerhouse of energy and creativity. Young people are increasingly concerned about the future of the planet and their vested interest in environmental issues can act as a key driver for greening economies. This side event will explore how we can be more effective in improving access to climate finance for youth.
22 August | 11:00–12:30 | Room 204 | Blended finance, catalysing investment in nature and climate
In order to meet climate change, biodiversity and land degradation targets and deliver on global environmental benefits, greater investment from the private sector is required. This event will show how conservation bonds, blue debt conversion bonds and other market instruments are helping to mobilize private capital into conservation.
22 August | 15:00–16:30 | Room 211 | Food Systems Transformation Pathways
After the Food Systems Summit, 120+ countries defined their food systems transformation pathways. This side event will highlight the diversity of food systems transformation pathways that countries, civil society organizations and UN organizations are taking towards a shared goal: a healthy planet, healthy people.
23 August | 13:30–14:30 | Room 220/221/222 | Partnerships Forum: Confab I Intergenerational Collaboration for Our Future
This event will reflect on youth roles and contributions to sustainable development and environmental policy, strategies and solutions.
ROUNDTABLES
24 August | 14:00–15:30 | Room 204 | Pathways to a Net Zero Nature Positive World
This high-level roundtable will discuss climate and nature action with examples from countries and financial institutions that are aligning their economic and development responses.
25 August | 09:00–11:00 | Room 202 | Promoting an Integrated Approach Towards Food Systems Transformation
At this roundtable, experts will share good practices and innovative approaches for implementing or supporting food systems transformation activities.
25 August | 9:00–11:00 | Room 204 | Managing for Environmental Results and Transformational Change
This session explores the opportunities and trade-offs of innovations for nature-positive, carbon-neutral and pollution-free transformation, including the private sector.
EXHIBITS
IFAD booth
Visit the IFAD booth to learn more about how investments in small-scale farming increase vulnerable rural people’s capacity to cope with climatic and economic shocks while benefitting the environment and climate by reducing greenhouse gas emissions, recovering degraded land and curbing biodiversity loss.
GEF Partnership Pavilion
Discover IFAD projects in the field as part of a 360-degree video installation at the UNEP booth.
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