Promoting national implementation of international biodiversity targets

Context

Biodiversity loss is one of the most pressing challenges of our time. It leads to people losing connections to the environment, ecosystems suffering irreversible damage, and vital ecosystem services – such as food, water, flood protection, and climate stability – diminishing. This threatens livelihoods and development in developing countries and emerging economies.

In response, the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) of the United Nations, adopted under the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) in 2022, sets a vision of global harmony with nature. Achieving this requires involvement from governments and all parts of society, including women, Indigenous Peoples, and local communities. To accelerate the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) aligned with the GBF, Colombia with the support of Germany launched the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership as a country-led initiative. This project contributes to the goals of the partnership.

Objective

Eight partner countries are in a better position to implement their GBF-aligned national biodiversity targets.

Approach

The project advances the implementation of NBSAPs by:

• Advising on national processes to support ambitious countries adapt and implement priority NBSAP measures, which are the central instrument for reaching international biodiversity targets.
• Promoting the participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities in revising and implementation of NBSAPs.
• Supporting the exchange of knowledge across international partners.

The Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) cofinances the project with 5.1 million euros. Important cooperation partners are the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), Indigenous Peoples Rights International (IPRI), Natural Justice, Forest Peoples Programme, and the Union of Ethical Biotrade (UEBT).

Last update: April 2025