– As Global Alliance Gains Momentum 

-by Celestine Chacon

The Inter-American Development Bank is calling for greater investment in biodiversity protection, as the Global Biodiversity Alliance seeks to turn international commitments into tangible action.

Speaking on the Starting Point podcast, IDB Country Rep Lorena Salazar said the alliance provides an important platform for governments, development institutions, and private-sector partners to work together to close the financing gap for nature.

Salazar noted that natural resources underpin millions of livelihoods across Latin America and the Caribbean, supporting industries such as tourism, agriculture, as well as essential resources including food, water, and energy.

She however explained that the biodiversity financing challenge cannot be addressed through a single financial instrument.

“What we need is an enabling environment, right? An enabling environment in which public policy, development finance, private capital, and innovation can come together as providers to the solution,” she said.

She noted that the Global Biodiversity Alliance, which has grown to more than 140 members, reflects growing recognition that nature conservation is not only an environmental issue, but also a critical economic and development priority.

“So the momentum is there. Now that we need to convert the momentum into action, into investment, and into results. The Main signal I will say for the GBA is the appetite for biodiversity and finance,” she added.
The IDB Rep maintains that nature conservation and economic development are not competing priorities, but complementary goals that is essential for long-term growth, particularly in countries like Guyana, where natural resources support economic activity and community livelihoods.

Salazar’s comments come ahead of Guyana’s hosting of the Second Global Biodiversity Alliance Conference and Financing Forum, scheduled for October 30 to 31, 2026.

The conference is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to strengthen partnerships, explore financing opportunities, and advance solutions that protect biodiversity while supporting sustainable economic growth.