The regional launch of the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Accelerator Integrated Programme (NZNPA IP), titled “Financing Strategies to Accelerate the Net-Zero Nature-Positive Agenda in Latin America and the Caribbean”, was held on 2 October 2025, 7:30 AM – 9:00 AM over a breakfast session at the XXIV Forum of Ministers of Environment of Latin America and The Caribbean.
This regional launch of the six-year GEF-funded IP convened participating and interested countries from Latin America and the Caribbean, along with core partners and external actors, the global lead — the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) — and the regional lead for this event, the Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF).
Participants explored how countries can leverage public and private finance to achieve the targets in their Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) under the Paris Agreement, and in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) under the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF). The event also provided a platform to learn about good practices and opportunities connected to the NZNPA IP, including experiences from the Latin America and Caribbean Country Child Projects.
Moderator: René Gómez-García Palao, Senior Executive of the Technical Advisory Directorate on Biodiversity and Climate, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
Welcome messages
Carlos Manuel Rodriguez, Chief Executive Officer and Chairperson, Global Environment Facility
Inger Andersen, Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Programme
Enabling policy environment for NZNP finance
Juan Bello, Regional Director, Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean, United Nations Environment Programme
Implementing the GBF targets in the context of net-zero
Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, Convention on Biological Diversity
Keynote address: Plan to finance integrated NZ and NP policies in LAC
Jorge Concha, Director of Green Operations Financing, Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean
Roundtable discussion
H.E. Maisa Rojas Corradi, Minister of Environment, Chile
H.E. Carlos Isaac Pérez Mejía, Vice Minister of Environment and Energy, Costa Rica
Ms. Camila Zepeda, Head of International Affairs Unit, Secretariat of Environment and Natural Resources, Mexico
Q&A discussion, All
Closing remarks
Patricia Marcos, Latin America and the Caribbean Regional Coordinator, Global Environment Facility Secretariat