Côte d’Ivoire Joins the BES Solution Fund
Côte d’Ivoire Joins the BES Solution Fund
Côte d’Ivoire has officially joined the BES Solution Fund as its ninth participating country.
This marks an important step in Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to protect its rich biodiversity and address urgent environmental challenges, leveraging the latest evidence generated by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The implementation of this seed fund, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, opens a new chapter for the country in translating global knowledge into practical national solutions and fostering collaboration to create a future where both people and nature thrive.
Côte d’Ivoire has officially joined the BES Solution Fund as its ninth participating country.
This marks an important step in Côte d’Ivoire’s efforts to protect its rich biodiversity and address urgent environmental challenges, leveraging the latest evidence generated by the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services (IPBES). The implementation of this seed fund, facilitated by the United Nations Development Programme, opens a new chapter for the country in translating global knowledge into practical national solutions and fostering collaboration to create a future where both people and nature thrive.
Why Côte d’Ivoire?
Côte d’Ivoire is home to some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in West and Central Africa. Its natural heritage supports a wide array of plant and animal species, along with the livelihoods of millions of people. However, the country faces significant threats, including invasive alien species (IAS), deforestation, climate change and the unsustainable use of resources. These challenges are complex, but Côte d’Ivoire has shown a strong commitment to addressing them, particularly as the host of the 2024 BES-Net Regional Trialogue for West and Central Africa.
The Regional Trialogue, held in Abidjan in June 2024, brought together participants from six countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal and Togo. Using the findings from two major IPBES assessments on the sustainable use of wild species and IAS, the event guided countries in designing action plans to address these two interlinked challenges in a manner that contributes directly to local, national and regional development priorities.
Why Côte d’Ivoire?
Côte d’Ivoire is home to some of the most biologically diverse ecosystems in West and Central Africa. Its natural heritage supports a wide array of plant and animal species, along with the livelihoods of millions of people. However, the country faces significant threats, including invasive alien species (IAS), deforestation, climate change and the unsustainable use of resources. These challenges are complex, but Côte d’Ivoire has shown a strong commitment to addressing them, particularly as the host of the 2024 BES-Net Regional Trialogue for West and Central Africa.
The Regional Trialogue, held in Abidjan in June 2024, brought together participants from six countries: Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Gabon, Senegal and Togo. Using the findings from two major IPBES assessments on the sustainable use of wild species and IAS, the event guided countries in designing action plans to address these two interlinked challenges in a manner that contributes directly to local, national and regional development priorities.
"We are convinced that the fight against biodiversity loss cannot be won without close collaboration between scientists, decision-makers and actors in the field."
Gael Ollivier
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
The BES Solution Fund in Côte d’Ivoire
The BES Solution Fund is a catalytic seed fund that enables selected countries to learn about new thematic biodiversity and ecosystem services knowledge generated by IPBES, assess its relevance to national and local contexts and co-create concrete actions to address them.
Bringing forward the action plan developed during the 2024 Regional Trialogue, the Côte d’Ivoire BES Solution Fund will focus on three main areas:
The BES Solution Fund in Côte d’Ivoire
The BES Solution Fund is a catalytic seed fund that enables selected countries to learn about new thematic biodiversity and ecosystem services knowledge generated by IPBES, assess its relevance to national and local contexts and co-create concrete actions to address them.
Bringing forward the action plan developed during the 2024 Regional Trialogue, the Côte d’Ivoire BES Solution Fund will focus on three main areas:
"We are convinced that the fight against biodiversity loss cannot be won without close collaboration between scientists, decision-makers and actors in the field."
Gael Ollivier
UNDP Deputy Resident Representative
Integrating biodiversity into national planning
This involves embedding biodiversity priorities, including IAS and the sustainable use of wild species, into the National Development Plan 2025–2030 and Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0. A special emphasis is placed on strengthening the national IPBES platform as the multidisciplinary expert forum, engaging science, policy and practice communities to guide the incorporation of conservation efforts as a core part of the country’s economic and social strategies. This will be achieved through multistakeholder meetings aiming at aligning national development priorities with key IPBES assessments, ensuring an evidence-based approach to biodiversity management.
Integrating biodiversity into national planning
This involves embedding biodiversity priorities, including IAS and the sustainable use of wild species, into the National Development Plan 2025–2030 and Nationally Determined Contributions 3.0. A special emphasis is placed on strengthening the national IPBES platform as the multidisciplinary expert forum, engaging science, policy and practice communities to guide the incorporation of conservation efforts as a core part of the country’s economic and social strategies. This will be achieved through multistakeholder meetings aiming at aligning national development priorities with key IPBES assessments, ensuring an evidence-based approach to biodiversity management.
"Biodiversity is at the heart of our contemporary challenges. In Côte d'Ivoire, we are fortunate to have an exceptional ecological richness, but we also face growing threats, including invasive alien species that impact our ecosystems and populations."
Dr. Yemou Jeanne N'tain
Director General of the Environment, Representative of the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition
"Biodiversity is at the heart of our contemporary challenges. In Côte d'Ivoire, we are fortunate to have an exceptional ecological richness, but we also face growing threats, including invasive alien species that impact our ecosystems and populations."
Dr. Yemou Jeanne N'tain
Director General of the Environment, Representative of the Ministry of the Environment, Sustainable Development and Ecological Transition
Engaging diverse stakeholders
The aim is to raise awareness among young people, women and local communities about the importance of sustainable practices and IAS management. Their authentic participation is key for crafting effective and inclusive conservation strategies. Targeted campaigns will engage young people and local communities, making biodiversity conservation a shared priority. Biodiversity ambassadors, including youth leaders and influencers, will be approached to help amplify these messages and inspire public participation.
Engaging diverse stakeholders
The aim is to raise awareness among young people, women and local communities about the importance of sustainable practices and IAS management. Their authentic participation is key for crafting effective and inclusive conservation strategies. Targeted campaigns will engage young people and local communities, making biodiversity conservation a shared priority. Biodiversity ambassadors, including youth leaders and influencers, will be approached to help amplify these messages and inspire public participation.
"The ambition of this BES-Net II project is to transform scientific knowledge into concrete actions in the field."
Mr. Assui
Special Advisor to the Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service
"The ambition of this BES-Net II project is to transform scientific knowledge into concrete actions in the field."
Mr. Assui
Special Advisor to the Minister of Youth Promotion, Professional Integration and Civic Service
Building momentum for large-scale action
Through pilot projects and strategic partnerships, Côte d’Ivoire will explore ways to restore ecosystems, manage IAS and promote the sustainable use of wild species. These initiatives will provide a foundation for scaling up conservation efforts in the country and region:
Advancing research and knowledge
The initiative aims to support research focused on IAS and biodiversity conservation to address critical knowledge gaps in the country. This will inform evidence-based strategies and enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s capacity to address biodiversity challenges effectively.
Implementing pilot projects
Communities will lead projects to manage IAS, exploring solutions to reduce their impact. These projects will also assess how invasive species can be repurposed into sustainable opportunities, such as creating eco-friendly products.
Planning for the future
The Government will develop comprehensive proposals for larger-scale biodiversity initiatives. These efforts will aim to strengthen partnerships and attract additional resources, ensuring the long-term success of conservation policies.
Building momentum for large-scale action
Through pilot projects and strategic partnerships, Côte d’Ivoire will explore ways to restore ecosystems, manage IAS and promote the sustainable use of wild species. These initiatives will provide a foundation for scaling up conservation efforts in the country and region:
Advancing research and knowledge
The initiative aims to support research focused on IAS and biodiversity conservation to address critical knowledge gaps in the country. This will inform evidence-based strategies and enhance Côte d’Ivoire’s capacity to address biodiversity challenges effectively.
Implementing pilot projects
Communities will lead projects to manage IAS, exploring solutions to reduce their impact. These projects will also assess how invasive species can be repurposed into sustainable opportunities, such as creating eco-friendly products.
Planning for the future
The Government will develop comprehensive proposals for larger-scale biodiversity initiatives. These efforts will aim to strengthen partnerships and attract additional resources, ensuring the long-term success of conservation policies.
Built with Shorthand
