Aerial view of green landscape with cloudy skies above
Dear Colleagues and Friends,
As 2017 draws to a close, we are looking back on a very busy year for the Global Environment Facility.
In my mind, the broad partnership that makes up the GEF has achieved a lot in 2017. I believe that the global coalitions of committed stakeholders, from governments, the private sector, civil society, indigenous peoples and others working on safeguarding the global commons - our forests, land, water, air, climate, oceans and biodiversity - are growing stronger and stronger.
At the same time, despite our best efforts - and the efforts of many others - the global drivers of environmental degradation remain strong. Global forest loss increased this year, as did GHG emissions, and pollution of our oceans continued unabated. There is no denying that the challenges before us are both increasing and becoming more urgent.
In the GEF, as we enter our 7th replenishment cycle - GEF-7 - next year, we look forward to working with all of you to help turn the tide for the global environment.
With my best wishes for happy holidays and a Happy New Year.
Kind regards,
Naoko Ishii
GEF CEO and Chairperson