Welcome and Introduction Video on Biodiversity Crisis Feature Address: Reflection on biodiversity as a key pillar of global development.
Plenary led by H.E Dr. Mohamed Irfaan Ali. President of Guyana. Delegates are invited to deliver interventions on the Global State of Biodiversity, highlighting key achievements, challenges, and opportunities. Delegates may also reflect on how the unique strengths of diverse nations and institutions can be harnessed to advance conservation goals, particularly through synergies and partnerships. Delegates are encouraged to share their vision for the Summit’s outcomes and proposed follow-up actions.
Official launch and foundational declaration of the GBA, articulating shared commitments FAMILY PHOTO
Hon. Dr. Bharrat Jagdeo presents the keynote address followed by the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Government of Guyana and Yale Center for Biodiversity and Global Change. BREAK Guyana’s journey from a national vision to hosting the Biodiversity Summit reflects a strategic evolution – marked by key milestone, leadership, and impactful partnerships that shaped its emergence as a global platform for actions. Plenary led by Session Chairperson and will feature concise three minute messages and technical insights from global experts, organizations and stakeholder groups. Contributions will highlight actions to protect and restore biodiversity in alignment with the Global Biodiversity Framework. Delegates are encouraged to share their vision for the Summit’s outcomes and proposed follow-up actions.
Presentation and discussions: Achieving the global target of conserving at least 30% of the planet’s lands and oceans by 2030. This session explores a suite of options and strategies to expand conservation efforts and the role of the Alliance to strengthen partnerships around increased ambition for biodiversity conservation.
Target 3: Conserve 30% of Land, Waters and Seas - Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Goal. Technical summary and reflection of main messages, key highlights to inform the work of the Alliance and commitments to advance global and national actions.
Welcome & Reflection Key highlights from Day 1 and igniting The energy for Day 2.
Panel Discussion: This session brings together distinguished leaders to share perspectives on strengthening global biodiversity commitments and fostering international collaboration. It will spotlight leadership from biodiversity nations and the Global South in advancing global biodiversity goals. It opens with a feature address by H.E. Ambassador André Corrêa do Lago, COP30 President on the Road to Belém and explores how international cooperation—through platforms like the Global Biodiversity Alliance—can accelerate momentum, overcome challenges, and align efforts with the upcoming UNFCCC Conference of Parties. It follows with: Hon. Orlando Habet Showcasing Belize’s leadership in biodiversity conservation and the role of small states in global environmental governance and advocacy. H.E. Mr. Martin von Hildebrand Highlighting Amazonian cooperation and Indigenous leadership in safeguarding one of the world’s most critical ecosystems. Dr. M. Sanjayan: Providing a science-based perspective on the urgency of biodiversity action, emphasising the role of public-private partnerships and the critical contribution of civil society in promoting inclusive and effective global collaboration.
Panel Discussion: Framing the global biodiversity finance landscape, including financial instruments, mechanisms, and partnerships to scale conservation and restoration.
Presentation and discussions: This session explores how biodiversity underpins the emerging bioeconomy, offering nature-based pathways for sustainable economic growth rooted in nature. It emphasizes ecosystems as natural capital, with a focus on the Amazon region and demonstrates how investing in biodiversity can drive innovation, resilience, and inclusive development. It will also highlight cases and strategies where biodiversity fuels inclusive and sustainable economic progress.
Presentation and discussion: This session explores advanced scientific and digital tools used to monitor and measure biodiversity and assess conservation impact. It highlights how data driven approaches are transforming biodiversity tracking into actionable insights for decision makers and practitioners.
Presentation and discussion: This session highlights the urgent need to close the biodiversity finance gap and explores a menu of financing options that can protect nature while unlocking trillions in sustainable economic value using Guyana as a business case.
This concluding segment will feature reflections from the Global Biodiversity Alliance (GBA) Founding Members and a formal closure of the Summit. It will outline the next steps on the road to COP30 in Belém, including key commitments from Heads of State and GBA leaders to advance global biodiversity and climate action.
Presentation followed by discussion: Exploring emerging technologies and methodologies in conservation research and monitoring illustrated through practical case-based examples.
Presentation followed by discussion: Sharing lessons learned from best practices that mainstream gender, including youth, and integrate traditional knowledge in sustainable natural resources management while securing livelihoods.
Presentation followed by discussion: Highlights of sustainability and performance standards and mechanisms for responsible action.
Presentation followed by discussion: Exploring how green taxonomies and biodiversity finance frameworks can support sustainable business practices. It highlights key opportunities, barriers and policy enablers for private sector alignment with practical examples, including tourism and hospitality sectors.
Panel discussion: This session will present cases and initiatives, including interactive tools to strengthen and support local leaders in community-based inclusive conservation efforts.
Panel Discussion: This session explores practical strategies to accelerate access to biodiversity and nature-positive finance. It covers key financial instruments, implementation examples and enabling conditions such as policy, data and capacity that are essential to scale investment and close the nature finance gap.
The field visits are planned for Friday, 25 July 2025. The tour itineraries will be provided to registered participants. Delegates are invited to indicate their preferences between two options – the Mahaica River Tour and Iwokrama Rainforest Reserve. Kindly note that due to capacity constraints, confirmations will be made on a first-come, first-served basis.
With the Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit billed for July 23-25, 2025, the Government of Guyana is pleased to announce the launch of a new podcast series. Our first guest on United for Biodiversity : The Alliance Podcast is former President of Colombia, His Excellency, Iván Duque.
Join us to learn about the origins of the Global Biodiversity Alliance.
The inaugural episode will be aired on June 6 at 7:15 am on the social media pages of NCN, DPI, Guyana Chronicle, and News Room. The interview will also be broadcast on Ignite Television, Freedom Radio, Hits and Jams 94.1 BOOM FM, and all radio stations operated by NCN across the country, including Voice of Guyana and 98.1 FM.
The Global Biodiversity Alliance Summit is a landmark international gathering of leaders, scientists, indigenous voices, and innovators, convened to unite global efforts toward biodiversity protection.
Biodiversity is the foundation of life on Earth, yet it faces unprecedented threats. This summit is a call to action—a platform for global collaboration, measurable commitments, and innovative solutions to protect 30% of the world’s land and oceans by 2030.
The Global Biodiversity Alliance was founded on the principle that protecting biodiversity is essential for ecological resilience and human well-being. With threats such as deforestation, climate change, and ecosystem degradation on the rise, the Alliance offers a bold, coordinated response to ensure nature thrives for generations to come.
Our work is grounded in international frameworks including the Global Biodiversity Framework (COP16) and reflects the outcomes of the G20 on biodiversity collaboration.
