On 1-2 April, Stockholm will play host to a high-level meeting between the CEO of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), Carlos Manuel Rodríguez, and Swedish Minister for Climate and the Environment Romina Pourmokhtari, as well as Minister for International Development Cooperation and Foreign Trade Benjamin Dousa.
This important diplomatic engagement aims to strengthen Sweden’s commitment to global environmental efforts, particularly ahead of the GEF’s ninth replenishment, which is set to begin this year and conclude in mid-2026. The GEF plays a vital role in safeguarding biodiversity, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and promoting sustainable development worldwide.
“I’m proud that the Government is prioritizing and expanding its climate aid by way of support for the Global Environment Facility,” said Minister Dousa. “I look forward to discussing with Carlos Manuel how we can work together to reinforce the work of the GEF and increase its cost-efficiency, not least through cooperation with private operators.”
“Our ambition is to safeguard biodiversity, combat climate change, and protect the world’s oceans,” added Minister Pourmokhtari. “The entire global economy is built upon a functioning ecosystem and a thriving natural world. Through these important investments, we are safeguarding the value chains on which Sweden is dependent for greater growth and prosperity.”
About the Global Environment Facility
The GEF was established in 1991 as part of the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992. Its mission is to support low- and middle-income countries in implementing investments that help them achieve global targets in areas such as emission reductions, biodiversity protection, international oceans, phasing out harmful chemicals, and sustainable land use.
The GEF’s secretariat hosts various trust funds, including the Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF), to which Sweden contributed SEK 130 million in 2024. Discussions are underway for the GEF to be part of an international agreement on plastics in the future.
Sweden’s Commitment to the GEF
Sweden provides a significant contribution to the GEF, with a total of SEK 8.1 billion disbursed over ten years between 2023-2032. In 2025, Sweden will contribute over SEK 2.7 billion to climate and environmental funds, an increase of 13% compared to 2022.
Climate aid has also increased overall since 2022, demonstrating Sweden’s commitment to addressing the world’s most pressing environmental challenges.
A New Era for Global Environmental Cooperation
The meeting between Mr. Rodríguez and Swedish Ministers Dousa and Pourmokhtari marks an important milestone in strengthening global environmental efforts. As the world continues to navigate the complexities of climate change, biodiversity loss, and sustainable development, cooperation and collaboration will be essential in achieving a better future for all.
By working together with international partners like Sweden, the GEF can ensure that global environmental efforts are more effective, efficient, and impactful. As we look to the future, it is clear that the partnership between nations will be crucial in shaping a more sustainable and equitable world.