Opening remarks: From Risks to Returns: Aligning Finance with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework 

• Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity
• Ms Inger Andersen, Executive Director, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) 
• H.E. Susana Muhamad, Minister of Environment of Colombia
• Ricardo Bonilla González, Minister of Finance of Colombia
• David Atkin, Chief Executive Officer, Principles for Responsible Investment.
• Txai Suruí, Founder and Coordinator of the Movement of Indigenous Youth of Rondônia, Brazil  

Plenary 1 - Meeting nature, climate, and development goals together

This session will explore the synergies between nature conservation, climate action, and development objectives. The panel will explore the possibilities of the optimal mix of public, private, market, and non-market finance needed to deliver the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) while addressing sovereign debt distress and increasing capital towards nature. Discussions will cover the integration of GBF within development priorities, the opportunities presented by Biodiversity Finance Plans, and the transparency and impact of private financial flows for the public good.

Key themes will include Official Development Assistance (ODA) and North-South voluntary transfers, rearchitecting the international finance system for sustainability, and the use of blended finance and country platforms. The panel will also address fiscal and non-fiscal policy levelers, mainstreaming nature-positive factors and mobilizing nature-positive resources through state-owned enterprises, national development banks, and sovereign wealth funds. 

Moderator: Andrew Deutz, Managing Director, Global Policy and Partnerships, World Wildlife Fund 

• Carlos Felipe Jaramillo, Vice President for Latin America and the Caribbean, World Bank 
• Hilen G Meirovich, Head of Climate Change, Head of Climate Change
• Marcos Neto, Assistant Secretary General, UNDP 
• Javier Díaz Fajardo, President of the Colombian Bank of Foreign Trade Business Development Bank (Bancoldex) and Co-Chair of the International Development Finance Club (IDFC) 
   

Plenary 2 - Report card on the financial system response to the GBF since COP15

This plenary session will assess the financial sector's response to the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) since COP15, emphasizing the crucial role of countries in helping financial institutions assess their nature-positive footprint and transition toward sustainability. The panel is taking place to address the urgent need for financial flows to align with biodiversity goals, driven by regulatory developments and ministerial perspectives that shape a more consistent environment for action. Key players from the financial sector, including regulators, supervisors, and private finance leaders, will discuss the progress made, challenges faced, and opportunities for improvement. They will explore the connection between biodiversity and climate action, showcasing voluntary efforts by banks and investors and highlighting the importance of engaging stakeholders in mainstreaming biodiversity. By providing a comprehensive overview of the current state of biodiversity finance, the session will offer insights into areas that require more focus, paving the way for collaboration between public and private sectors to achieve nature-positive outcomes.

Moderator: Valerie Hickey, Global Director, Environment Global Department, World Bank  

• Hindou Oumarou Ibrahim, UN Permanent Forum on Indigenous Issues (UNPFII) 
• Jan Erik Saugestad, CEO of Storebrand AM 
• Yann Marin, Secretary General, Network for Greening the Financial System (NGFS)
• Adriana Abdenur, Advisor to the President of Brazil.  
• Yunwen Bai - the Vice President, Institute of Finance and Sustainability 
   

Fireside Chat: Nature as a Climate Solution: Instruments and Call to Action for the Public and Private Sectors.

This fireside chat explores the vital intersection of nature and climate action, highlighting how nature-based solutions can significantly contribute to climate resilience and sustainability. The discussion will focus on innovative instruments and actionable strategies that both public and private sectors can deploy to harness the power of nature in combating climate change. 

Moderator: Ms. Kumi Kitamori, Environment Deputy Director, OECD. 

• Marina Silva, Minister of the Environment and Climate Change of Brazil 

Plenary 3 - Rights, incentives, and rewards for nature's stewards - Afro-descendant and indigenous peoples and local communities

This panel will explore the critical roles of Afro-descendant and Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPs & LCs) in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of natural resources. It will focus on rights-based approaches, Free, Prior, and Informed Consent (FPIC), and the leadership of indigenous and local communities in conservation. Discussions will also cover benefit-sharing, non-market rewards, and the challenges and opportunities of using carbon markets as tools for biodiversity conservation.

Moderator: Epsy Alejandra Campbell Barr, President, United Nations Permanent Forum on People of African Descent, and Former Vice-President of Costa Rica

• Her Excellency, Kandya Obezo, Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Colombia 
• Mmboneni Esther Netshivhongweni, Chairperson of the Community Association of South Africa in Natural Resources (CASA-Natural Resources) and Independent Advisory Panel for Biodiversity (IAPB) 
• Fany Kuiru Castro, General Coordinator of Indigenous Organizations of the Amazon Basin – COICA.
• Chief Almir Narayamoga Surui, Environmentalist and Leader of The Paiter Surui People 
• Ralph Regenvanu, Special Envoy for Climate Change and Environment of the Republic of Vanuatu, Representative of the Ministerial Alliance for Ambition on Nature Finance. 
   

Plenary 4 - Leveraging Disclosures, Data, and Precision: Unlocking Opportunities to Align and Enhance Reponses to Nature-Related Risks

This panel will delve into the critical issues surrounding nature-related risk and its implications for both public and private organizations, the economy, and society. Discussions will focus on how nature loss is a source of systemic risk, scenarios, nature stress testing, and standard-setting for risk and opportunity through emerging frameworks and standards.

Key themes include developing and using biodiversity risk scores, interest rates linked to nature performance, and evolving tools and data for precise nature-related risk assessment. The panel will also explore nature-related transition planning and strategies to reduce negative impacts on nature through company engagement, sector-based policies, and the ecosystem.

Moderator: Tracey Cumming, Senior Technical  Advisor, BIOFIN, UNDP 

• H.E. Razan Al Mubarak, Co-Chair, TNFD 
• Ambroise Fayolle, Vice-President of the EIB 
• Elizabeth Seeger, ISSB Member 
• Veronica Scotti, Chairperson Public Sector SolutionsSwiss Re 
• Elías Albagli, Director, Monetary Policy Division, Central Bank of Chile

Plenary 5 - Financial Alignment with the GBF: Measurement, Definition, and Governance

This panel will explore the critical alignment of financial systems with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF), focusing on measurement, definition, and governance. The session will highlight methodologies for tracking nature-related and nature-positive finance, the D3 indicator, and country reporting on financial flows. Discussions will address the challenges and opportunities in translating environmental performance into financial metrics, sustainable finance taxonomies, tracking methods, and the interoperability of systems between public and private finance.

Special Address: Frank Elderson, Member of the European Central Bank, Executive Board (Video Presentation)

Moderator: Jessica Smith, Programme Lead - Nature, UNEP FI 

• Alfonso García Mora, Regional Vice President, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean
• Marisela Alvarenga, Chief Investment Officer (a.i.), IDB Invest
• Mr. Hiroyuki Isono, President & Group CEO, Oji Holdings Corporation
• Nonde Sichilima, Director - Market Supervision and Development at The Securities and Exchange Commission, Zambia, SEC Zambia 
• Antoine Sire, Special Advisor to the ExCo, Biodiversity and Inclusion, BNP Paribas 

Plenary 6 - Horizon for innovation and scaling in nature finance

This panel will explore the future landscape of innovation and scaling in nature finance, focusing on groundbreaking approaches and tools to support biodiversity and ecosystem investments. Key themes will include biodiversity credits, nature assets such as tokens, investment KPIs, the investability and bankability of nature projects, large-scale ecosystem investments like coral reefs and transboundary watersheds, and the capital continuum for scaling nature-related projects. 

Moderator: Gregory Watson, Principal Specialist, Biodiversity and Natural Capital, Climate Change and Sustainable Development, IDB 

• Alicia Montalvo, Manager of Climate Action and Positive Biodiversity, CAF -Development Bank of Latin America 
• Dame Amelia Fawcett, Co-Chair, The International Advisory Panel on Biodiversity Credits 
• Anne Laurence Roucher Deputy CEO, Mirova 
• Maria Lorena Gutiérrez - President Grupo Aval 
• Hon. Ryan Straughn M.P. Minister of Finance, Barbados

Plenary 7- From Insights to Action: Paving the Way for COP17

The closing plenary will synthesize the key insights from the day's discussions and highlight actionable items to further align financial flows with the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). This session will focus on concrete next steps, emphasizing the need for continued collaboration among finance sector participants. Global leaders will reflect on progress and present a roadmap for scaling up biodiversity finance, setting the stage for enhanced global commitments and preparation for COP17. 

Moderator: Anita de Horde, Executive Director Finance for Biodiversity Foundation, Finance for Biodiversity Foundation

• Matia Kasaija, Ministry of Finance, Planning and Economic Development of the Republic of Uganda
• Simon Zadek, Co-CEO, Nature Finance
• Jan Niclas Gesenhues, Parliamentary State Secretary of Germany
• Brian Kernohan, CSO, Manulife Investment Management