Windhoek, Namibia – Namibia has taken a bold step for the planet, launching the next phase of the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) Phase II during a lively National Arbor Day celebration on 11 October 2025 at Michelle McLean Primary School. The event was not just about planting trees – it was about planting hope for a greener, more resilient future through broader efforts to protect biodiversity, restore ecosystems, and strengthen climate resilience.

Jointly organised by the Ministry of Environment, Forestry and Tourism (MEFT), and the United Nations Country Team, the event brought together government leaders, students and community members, all united by a single goal: to protect Namibia’s Unique natural heritage and build climate resilience through environmental stewardship and responsible natural resource management. The day was filled with energy learning and a strong sense of community.

Namibia is now the eleventh country to join the BES Solution Fund, a partnership led globally by United Nations Development Fund (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) with generous support from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) through the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV). This move puts Namibia at the forefront of international efforts to blend science, policy and practical action for biodiversity.

BES-Net Phase II is all about turning knowledge into action. In Namibia, the focus is on four big priorities: controlling invasive alien species, promoting the sustainable use of wild species, restoring damaged ecosystems, and making sure everyone – especially women and local communities – has a voice in environmental decisions. The initiative is implemented by UNDP in Namibia in partnership with MEFT, and in line with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP). These goals build on the momentum from a Regional Trialogue for East and Southern Africa, hosted earlier this year in Windhoek.  

Speakers at the event included Ms. Bernadette Shivute UNDP  project specialist who highlighted the connection between the Arbor Day’s message of renewal and BES-Net II’s mission noting that the day’s focus on renewal and growth reflects the project’s aim to place nature at the centre of Namibia’s sustainable development efforts; and, on behalf of the UNDP in Namibia, she expressed appreciation to the Government of Germany, UNESCO, and MEFT for their partnership and continued support.

Ms. Hopolang Phororo, the United Nations Resident Coordinator, praised Namibia’s leadership and the partnerships that are making real change possible; while Germany’s Head of Development Cooperation, Mr Hauke Brankamp, reaffirmed his country’s commitment to supporting Namibia’s journey towards sustainable land use and ecosystem restoration. 

Delivering the keynote address, the Honourable Indileni Daniel, Minister of Environment, Forestry and Tourism, reaffirmed Namibia’s vision for sustainable forest management and stressed the importance of Arbor Day in promoting conservation awareness and community participation. 

For the day’s celebration, students rolled up their sleeves to plant trees, compete in sports and showcase their creativity through poetry and art – all centred on caring for the environment and tackling invasive species.  Their pledge to nurture the new trees symbolized a shared promise to protect the planet for generations to come. 

Background on the Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net)

The Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services Network (BES-Net) is a global knowledge-sharing and capacity-building initiative jointly implemented by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Environment Programme World Conservation Monitoring Centre (UNEP-WCMC), and the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO). It operates under the BES Solution Fund, with financial support from Germany’s International Climate Initiative (IKI) through the Federal Ministry for the Environment, Nature Conservation, Nuclear Safety and Consumer Protection (BMUV), and from SwedBio at the Stockholm Resilience Centre in Sweden.

BES-Net Phase II (2021 – 2028) seeks to strengthen the science–policy–practice interface for biodiversity conservation by facilitating the uptake of key assessments from the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES), including the 2022 Sustainable Use of Wild Species Assessment and the 2023 Invasive Alien Species Assessment. Through regional and national implementation, BES-Net supports countries to align biodiversity actions with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), promoting inclusive, gender-responsive governance and the integration of Indigenous and local knowledge.