BIOFIN is a global initiative of the United Nations Development Programme, launched in 2012 and now active in more than 130 countries. It tackles the challenge of financing biodiversity conservation by providing technical support to develop and implement effective biodiversity finance strategies. BIOFIN helps countries assess financial needs, identify inefficiencies in spending, and mobilize additional resources.
On 9 July 2025 Government representatives from 15 Pacific Island Countries and Territories have convened at The Pearl Resort in Pacific Harbour to officially launch the GEF-8 funded Pacific Biodiversity Finance (BIOFIN) Umbrella Programme, a landmark initiative to strengthen biodiversity financing across the region.
The initiative responds directly to global commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, including Convention on Biological Diversity Target 19, which urges countries to substantially increase resource mobilization and align financial flows with nature-positive outcomes.
BIOFIN has been implemented in over 40 countries since 2018, resulting in more than 150 finance solutions, including green taxation, incentive-based conservation, and public–private partnerships.
The Global BIOFIN programme is now expanding this proven model into 15 Pacific nations: Fiji, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, Samoa, Tonga, Kiribati, Tuvalu, Palau, Republic of the Marshall Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Cook Islands, New Zealand (voluntarily), Nauru and Niue. In 2024, 92 new countries, including these 15 Pacific nations, joined BIOFIN under the GEF‑8 Umbrella Programme, increasing the global reach to over 130 countries.
This programme will help accelerate the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals 14 (Life Below Water) and 15 (Life on Land), reinforcing regional commitments to protect and restore Pacific biodiversity.
As the region faces compounding pressures from biodiversity loss, climate change, and fiscal constraints, the Pacific BIOFIN Programme offers a timely and vital step forward laying the foundation for sustainable, locally driven investment in nature and resilience.
The programme is made possible with support from Global Environment Facility, European Union, Flanders State of the Art, the Governments of Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Sweden, United Kingdom and Canada.
Pacific island countries unite to launch regional Biodiversity Finance Programme | BIOFIN
