Colombia

Colombia is one of the countries with the highest National Biodiversity Index worldwide; it hosts about one-tenth of the world’s biodiversity and 314 types of ecosystems. BES-Net has supported Colombia throughout its national ecosystem assessment to better understand the country’s ecosystems and how to sustainably manage and conserve them.

• With support from the Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development, the Alexander von Humboldt Biological Research Institute and UNEP-WCMC, Colombia finalized its assessment process and launched the report and summary for policymakers in 2021.
• The key recommendations of the assessment, such as the strengthening of bioeconomy, actions to curb deforestation and an action plan for conservation and restoration, are now included in Colombia’s National Development Plan for 2022–2026.
• The country continues to advance these goals with targeted activities and interventions, some of which receive catalytic support under the BES-Net Phase II BES Solution Fund.
• Through the BES Solution Fund, the country integrated 15 strategic messages from the national ecosystem assessment report into the national plan 2022–2025

Implementing agencies: Alexander von Humboldt Biological Resources Research Institute for the national ecosystem assessment process; UNDP Colombia for the BES Solution Fund

Government Partner: Ministry of Environment and Sustainable Development