June 5 of every year--World Environment Day--is an opportunity to reflect on the status of the earth's environment.
World Environment Day reminds us that environmental sustainability and development are inseparable. Climate resilience supports food security. Healthy ecosystems protect water resources. Environmental protection strengthens public health and economic opportunity.
In 2026, World Environment Day also coincides with the 8th Global Environment Facility (GEF) Assembly taking place in Samarkand, Uzbekistan from 30 May to 6 June 2026, and which is among the most important environmental governance events of the decade.
For the African Development Bank, this convergence offers an opportunity to reaffirm its partnership with GEF, which has played a lead role in addressing Africa's most pressing environmental and climate challenges.
Delivering Impact Through Partnership
Since becoming a GEF implementing agency in 2007, the Bank has built a portfolio of $521 million in GEF resources and mobilised $4.8 billion in co-financing--equivalent to more than eight dollars for every dollar GEF has invested.
The portfolio spans climate adaptation and mitigation, biodiversity, international waters, land degradation, and integrated multi-focal projects, reflecting the interconnected nature of Africa's environmental challenges and development priorities.
A Continent on the Frontline
Africa contributes less than 4% of global greenhouse gas emissions yet is among the most vulnerable regions to climate change. The continent faces increasingly frequent droughts, floods, rising temperatures, and ecosystem degradation, while receiving only a small share of global climate and environmental finance.
Bridging this financing gap is at the heart of the African Development Bank Group's partnership with the Global Environment Facility.
The 2025 AfDB-GEF Annual Report highlights significant achievements of the partnership. In 2025, climate finance represented 54% of the Bank's total approvals, amounting to $5.93 billion; 58% of this went toward advancing climate adaptation.
Further, the Bank exceeded its $25 billion climate finance target for 2020-2025, reaching $25.5 billion and demonstrating its continued commitment to supporting Africa's transition to climate-resilient and low-carbon development.
Transforming Lives on the Ground
Behind these figures are tangible results for communities.
In Mauritania, solar-powered water supply systems, financed with $6.35 million in AfDB-GEF funds have improved access to clean water, enhanced livelihoods, and supported women's economic activities. In The Gambia, climate-smart water and sanitation investments have improved health outcomes, increased girls' school attendance, and made communities more resilient.
The Facility for Energy Inclusion, supported by $10 million in GEF funding within a $370 million blended finance structure, helped provide electricity access to more than 220,000 people, avoided 184,000 tonnes of carbon emissions, and supported 3,450 jobs.
In 2025, the partnership secured approval of new projects to strengthen climate resilience, sustainable agriculture, fisheries management, water security, and pollution reduction in Benin, Burkina Faso, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Liberia, São Tomé and Príncipe and other countries.
Looking Ahead: GEF-9 and the Road to 2030
The Samarkand Assembly will see the launch of the GEF-9 funding cycle (2026-2030), which aligns with the Bank's Ten-Year Strategy. Priorities include climate-resilient infrastructure, blended finance, private sector engagement, and support for vulnerable countries and communities.
The principle at the heart of World Environment Day -- that environmental sustainability and development are inseparable -- has guided the AfDB-GEF partnership for nearly two decades. As leaders gather in Samarkand to shape the future of global environmental action, Africa will continue to play a key role in advancing solutions that benefit people and the planet.
Click here to read the 2025 AfDB-GEF Annual Report.
