The Gambia is charting a new course toward a nature-positive future through the launch of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) funded Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), with support from the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).

As climate pressures intensify and biodiversity loss threatens livelihoods, food systems, tourism, and water resources, the initiative comes at a critical time. More than an environmental programme, BIOFIN represents a strategic investment in the country’s resilience, economy, and long-term prosperity.

At the launch of the initiative, UNDP Resident Representative, Mandisa Mashologu highlighted the importance of protecting biodiversity as a cornerstone of sustainable development.

“Biodiversity is not just an environmental asset, it is the foundation of our economy, resilience, and national identity,” she said.

Healthy ecosystems underpin key sectors in The Gambia, from agriculture and fisheries to tourism and community livelihoods. Yet the cost of protecting and restoring these ecosystems often exceeds available resources. BIOFIN seeks to address this challenge by helping countries understand the true cost of biodiversity conservation, identify financing gaps, and unlock innovative solutions to mobilize resources for nature.

As UNDP’s global flagship initiative on biodiversity finance, BIOFIN is now being implemented in more than 130 countries worldwide. By joining this global movement, The Gambia is positioning itself to pursue evidence-based reforms and investments that will help close the biodiversity finance gap.

In The Gambia, BIOFIN is being implemented in close partnership with the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources and the Ministry of Finance and Economic Affairs. This collaboration signals growing recognition that biodiversity loss is not only an environmental issue, but also an economic one, with implications for food security, tourism revenues, water availability, and community resilience.

Through the initiative, The Gambia will assess current biodiversity-related expenditures, identify priority investment gaps, and integrate biodiversity considerations into national planning and budgeting processes. It will also explore innovative financing mechanisms such as nature-based investments, conservation trust funds, and stronger private sector engagement.

At the heart of BIOFIN is partnership. Its success will depend on collaboration across government institutions, civil society, academia, local communities, the private sector, and development partners. Women, youth, and local communities, who are often the custodians of biodiversity, will play a critical role in shaping and benefiting from sustainable financing solutions.

UNDP remains committed to supporting the Government of The Gambia in strengthening biodiversity governance, enhancing institutional capacity, and mobilizing resources for nature-positive development.

By rethinking how biodiversity is valued and financed, The Gambia is laying the groundwork for a greener, more resilient, and more prosperous future for generations to come.