Cooperation and Partnerships

African Development Bank Champions Biodiversity Action at COP16

As an observer to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (UNCBD), the African Development Bank (AfDB) actively engaged in critical discussions on the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The Bank supported its African Regional Member Countries (RMCs) in developing and aligning their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), while also working to mobilize financing for biodiversity-related actions.

AfDB co-hosted the Multilateral Development Banks (MDB) Pavilion, which served as a platform to showcase opportunities in: Nature-based solutions, Natural capital valuation, Renewable natural resource management, Ecosystem services, Ecosystem restoration.

The Bank also participated in key events and negotiations, including the High-Level Segment with Ministers and Heads of State. It contributed to side events aligned with the COP16 agenda, where it highlighted its initiatives in: Biodiversity finance, Technical assistance, Policy support. Additionally, AfDB promoted innovative financing mechanisms aimed at ensuring the sustainable management of Africa’s biodiversity.

1. Opportunities and Challenges for Leveraging Indigenous Traditional Territories for Meeting the KMGBF Target 3
2. Understanding and enhancing the role of sustainable financing for PCAs and CCAs (Targets 18, 19)
3. Valorization of protected areas for Ecotourism
4. African Development Bank’s Plans for supporting implementation of the KMGBF in Africa
5. Accelerating Nature-based Solutions: Practical Challenges and Opportunities in Emerging Markets
6. MDB Workshop on “Nature Finance Tracking: Lessons from Multilateral Development Banks”
7. MDBs Joint event on Nature Finance
8. Finance for a Just Transition to a Nature Positive Economy
9. MDB action supporting the Global Biodiversity Framework: Implementation of the Joint Statement on Nature, People and Planet
10. High Level Ministerial Event - Delivering Target 19a - Unlocking Urgent Biodiversity Investments in key ecosystems
11. High Level Ministerial Session. South-South- North Collaboration Day on Practical Examples of Achieving the GBF Success across the Global South and the High-Level Policy Implications

African Development Bank at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP 15)

The Bank’s delegation, led by Al Hamndou Dorsouma, Officer in charge of the Climate Change and Green Growth Department, participated in discussions with the CBD Secretariat on implementing the new set of goals of the strategy to guide global actions through 2040.

The Bank also hosted and co-hosted side events and participate in key thematic days.

1. Investment in biodiversity conservation and sustainable use by the African Development Bank and WWF in support of the implementation of the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework: released a report assessing African countries’ performance under the Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011–2020, based on their 6th National Reports
2. Nature-Positive Infrastructure: Connecting Communities, Safeguarding the Planet
3. High Level Breakfast Meeting of MDBs
4. TNFD /AFD (Development Finance Network) meeting
5. Fifth Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity and the eighth International Conference on Sustainability Science
6. (with UNESCO, COMIFAC and DRC) Sustainable financing of biosphere reserves and world heritage sites in Central Africa to build resilience to climate change
7. The Role of the MDBs in taking forward the Global Biodiversity Framework: Following up on the Joint MDB Nature Statement
8. Thematic Event (Finance & Biodiversity Day) Integrating biodiversity in financial decision-making and aligning financial flows with the post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework
9. Closing the Biodiversity Finance Gap: The Role of Multilateral Development Banks (MDBs) and Innovative Financing Mechanisms Organisers: The Africa Development Bank Group (AfDB), The Consortium of African Funds for the Environment (CAFÉ), The European Union (EU-NaturAfrica), and the African Wildlife Foundation (AWF)
10. Thematic Event (Nature Positive Pavilion Half day Event) Nature Positive Infrastructure: Mainstreaming Biodiversity to Safeguard People and the Planet, Session 5: Nature-Positive Infrastructure Financing: the Role of Multilateral Development Banks Nature Positive Pavilion. Sponsored by: The Infrastructure and Nature Coalition
11. High-Level Segment (HLS) - Ministerial on the theme of “Ecological Civilization—Building a Shared Future for All Life on Earth

“We need to price what we value better, if we value natural capital. If we value biodiversity, we value ecosystems, then let’s make sure that the accounting price we put on biodiversity gives an incentive for its preservation.”

- Akinwumi Adesina, President of the African Development Bank

African Development Bank (AfDB) at COP12

During the Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly held in May 2014 in Cancún, Mexico, the CBD Secretariat convened a meeting with multilateral development banks (MDBs)—including the African Development Bank (AfDB)—to discuss the role of regional development banks in promoting regional cooperation on biodiversity and ecosystem services, and to explore opportunities for enhanced collaboration.

As a result of this engagement, the AfDB participated in the Twelfth Meeting of the Conference of the Parties (COP12) to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), held from 6–17 October 2014 in Pyeongchang, Republic of Korea. At COP12, the Bank organized a side event titled “Conserving Biodiversity at the African Development Bank”, where it presented:

1. Its interventions and strategies to combat poaching and illegal wildlife trafficking.
2. Its approach to mainstreaming biodiversity into operations and policies.
3. Its growing portfolio of projects supported by the Global Environment Facility (GEF).

In addition, the AfDB hosted a booth at the Interactive Fair on Biodiversity for Sustainable Development and a kiosk at the Communication, Education and Public Awareness (CEPA) Fair. These exhibits showcased key publications, biodiversity conservation initiatives, and highlighted messages marking the Bank’s 50th anniversary and its Ten-Year Strategy (2013–2022). The exhibition aimed to:

1. Increase visibility of the Bank’s mission, strategies, and activities.
2. Facilitate access to information on the Bank’s operations for a wide range of stakeholders.
3. Foster synergies and explore opportunities for collaboration with other institutions on biodiversity and climate change.
4. Gather feedback from visitors—particularly from Asian countries—to better understand communication needs.

The Bank also developed programs and projects to protect wildlife by strengthening the capacity of institutions managing protected areas and improving the livelihoods of communities living near those areas. Notably, during its Annual Meetings in May 2013 in Marrakech, the AfDB, in partnership with WWF, launched the Marrakech Declaration, calling for action and commitment from governments and institutions to combat illicit wildlife trafficking.