IUCN and partners launch GEF-funded project to protect tropical primary forests at COP16

Primary forests play a critical role in biodiversity conservation, carbon storage and sequestration, and other ecosystem services, as well as livelihoods support. Their conservation is fundamental for achieving multiple global goals, including the objectives of the CBD, UNFCCC, UNCCD, the UNSPF Global Forest Goals and several Sustainable Development Goals. The objective of this project is to prevent the loss of tropical primary forests worldwide by strengthening their protection and conservation, which will in turn contribute to mitigating climate change, preventing biodiversity loss and land degradation, and improving the livelihoods of the communities that depend upon them.

At the side event “Strengthening Conservation of Primary Forests: The catalytic role of the GEF,” IUCN  the Global Environment Facility (GEF), the Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), the United Nations Forum on Forests (UNFF) Secretariat, Wild Heritage, and Griffith University, convened to launch the initiative and discuss the critical importance of protecting and conserving primary forests, especially in biodiversity-rich tropical countries. Speakers included Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF, Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of IUCN, Juliette Biao, Director of the United Nations Forum on Forests Secretariat, Cyril Kormos, Founder and Executive Director of Wild Heritage, and Frédéric Castell, Senior Natural Resources Officer from The Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment of FAO. Moderation was provided by Chetan Kumar, Global Head of Forest and Grasslands at IUCN.

Currently, there is insufficient recognition and conservation of primary forests globally, especially tropical primary forests. The lack of understanding and integration of the values and benefits of primary forests in global policy agendas and forest financing strategies has led to their inadequate prioritisation, contributing to ongoing deforestation and loss of these vital ecosystems. A lack of coordination and information-sharing mechanisms has further hindered donor engagement and resulted in a funding gap that hampers effective protection efforts.

“Decision-makers can’t make good decisions without good knowledge and there is no good knowledge without science. This innovative project is a first-of-its-kind coalition of partners to protect primary forests shedding the missing light on the richest nature we still have,” said Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, CEO and Chairperson of the GEF.

“IUCN will continue to work alongside partners, Members, and communities to protect and conserve our most vital ecosystems, including primary forests, which provide unique and irreplaceable benefits for people and nature,” said Stewart Maginnis, Deputy Director General of IUCN. “Through this initiative, IUCN, the GEF, and our invaluable partners will work together to fill gaps and ensure that policy, financing mechanisms, and on-the-ground interventions are aligned, purpose-driven, and impactful, while also empowering communities and guaranteeing that stakeholders have the resources needed to safeguard these biodiversity-rich landscapes."

The objective of this project will be accomplished through knowledge packaging and dissemination and capacity development that will raise the visibility of tropical primary forests among stakeholders, policymakers, and the public, transforming how they are perceived and ensuring their inclusion in forest financing strategies, protection and conservation initiatives, and the global policy agenda. The project will also facilitate and stimulate financing for tropical primary forest conservation by establishing robust donor-recipient dialogue and coordination mechanisms and providing information on financing opportunities. The project seeks to enhance the work of the Global Forest Financing Facilitation Network (GFFFN), supporting countries in developing forest finance strategies that prioritize intact tropical primary forests. This transformative approach will strengthen financing mechanisms, foster innovative approaches, and mobilize resources towards the conservation of tropical primary forests.

The project aligns with the Collaborative Partnership on Forests (CPF) in enhancing coordination on global forest issues among relevant international forest-related organizations.