LocationsUNDP Mauritius Facilitates Site Visits and a Restitution Workshop
Building a Shared Biodiversity Agenda Through Knowledge Exchange Across the Republic of Mauritius
December 19, 2025
UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles/Jean-Yan Norbert
Under the Global Biodiversity Framework Early Action Support (GBF-EAS) Project, UNDP Mauritius convened a series of field visits on 18 December, followed by a restitution and exchange workshop on 19 December 2025. The activities organized under the GEF-funded project, implemented in collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Service under the Ministry of Agro Industry, Food Security, Blue Economy and Fisheries, brought together conservation stakeholders from mainland Mauritius and Rodrigues, supporting national efforts to advance early action for the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).
UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles/Jean-Yan Norbert
Field Visits to Promote Peer-to-Peer Learning and Practical Exchange
To strengthen inclusive knowledge sharing across the Republic of Mauritius, a delegation of eight biodiversity practitioners from Rodrigues from the public, private and CSOs travelled to Mauritius to participate in the GBF-EAS activities.
On 18 December, participants visited the Resilient Organic Community Farm, managed by the NGO Eco-Sud, and the offices of Reef Conservation, where a presentation was provided on their activities under the “Restoring Marine Ecosystem Services by Rehabilitating Coral Reefs to Meet a Changing Climate Future” project. The visits enabled on-site discussions and sharing of experiences with practitioners advancing sustainable agro-ecological practices and marine conservation, highlighting approaches that enhance ecosystem services while supporting community resilience.
The exchanges allowed participants to compare conservation practices implemented in Mauritius and Rodrigues, identify common challenges, and explore opportunities to replicate and scale effective solutions across island contexts. These interactions laid the groundwork for deeper policy and technical discussions during the restitution workshop that followed.
Restitution Workshop Advances Policy Alignment and Biodiversity Finance Discussions
On 19 December 2025, UNDP in collaboration with the National Parks and Conservation Service convened a restitution workshop bringing together a wider group of stakeholders from government institutions, private sector, civil society organizations, and conservation practitioners based in Mauritius.
Participants reviewed key findings from past consultations and discussed proposals related to:
Policy and institutional alignment with GBF objectives;
Biodiversity finance and resource mobilization priorities;
Proposed targets for the National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2025–2030; and
Strengthening national biodiversity monitoring systems.
Discussions underscored the importance of shared ownership and coordinated action across the public sector, private sector, and civil society to ensure effective biodiversity protection and implementation of national commitments.
The workshop also linked the GBF-EAS Project to upcoming national processes, including the NBSAP review and ongoing Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN) interventions, which will build on the project’s outcomes to support long-term financing for biodiversity action.
Tortoise Feeding on Ile aux Aigrettes, off the Southeastern coast of Mauritius.
UNDP Mauritius and Seychelles/Jean-Yan Norbert
Supporting Early Action for Biodiversity in Mauritius
The GEF-funded GBF-EAS Project, implemented by UNDP in 138 countries, supports governments to accelerate early action for the Global Biodiversity Framework by aligning national strategies, strengthening institutional coordination, and advancing biodiversity finance.
In Mauritius, where biodiversity plays a critical role in livelihoods, food security, tourism, and climate resilience, early and coordinated action is particularly important. As a Small Island Developing State with high levels of endemism and increasing ecosystem pressures, especially in coastal and marine areas, effective implementation of the GBF requires strong partnerships, sustained financing, and whole-of-society engagement.
A Whole-of-Society Approach for Nature in Mauritius
The GBF-EAS activities reaffirmed the importance of a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to biodiversity conservation in the Republic of Mauritius, including Rodrigues. By fostering dialogue, sharing practical solutions, and strengthening coordination among stakeholders, the project contributes to national efforts to safeguard ecosystems that are vital to economic development, community well-being, and climate resilience.
Through continued collaboration with government partners, civil society, and local communities, UNDP remains committed to supporting Mauritius in translating the Global Biodiversity Framework into tangible, inclusive, and well-financed action for nature.