Mexico to Advance Biodiversity Conservation Commitments

Environmental authorities and international organizations celebrated the launch of three strategic projects: MEx30x30, ACCIÓN, and ORIGEN. These initiatives align with Mexico’s international commitments to biodiversity conservation.

As part of the 2025 Knowledge Exchange Week on Conservation (SICC), representatives from the Mexican government, the German Embassy, the German Development Bank (KfW), the Conservation International Project Agency of the Global Environment Facility (CI-GEF), the Green Climate Fund (GCF), and the Mexican Fund for the Conservation of Nature (FMCN) announced the beginning of operations for these three initiatives.

The launch of these projects reaffirms Mexico’s commitment to implementing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, adopted in 2022 by 196 countries to restore 30% of degraded ecosystems and to effectively conserve and manage 30% of the planet by 2030.

MEx30x30: Conserving Mexican biodiversity through communities and Protected Natural Areas (PNAs), is led by the National Commission of Natural Protected Areas (CONANP). The project aims to ensure effective institutional and financial management of 30% of Mexico’s territory under conservation while strengthening the operation and governance of all existing PNAs. Supported by the Natural Protected Areas Fund (FANP), the project provides a clear roadmap toward meeting Mexico’s international conservation commitments.

ACCION: Sustainable Communities for Climate Action in the Yucatan Peninsula, addresses the severe climate risks faced by Campeche, Quintana Roo, and Yucatan. With a budget of US$25 million for the 2025–2035 period, the project seeks to strengthen climate resilience through ecosystem-based adaptation, supporting sustainable livelihoods, particularly for fishers and coastal communities.

Some of the challenges faced by the peninsula include rapid urban and tourism growth, which increase resource demand, pollution levels, and pressure on pollinator populations, thereby heightening the region’s vulnerability to climate change.

ORIGEN: Restoring Watersheds for Ecosystems and Communities, stems from a partnership between CI-GEF, CONANP, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (SADER). The project focuses on promoting resilient, sustainable, and environmentally respectful production models in coastal watersheds in Chiapas, Jalisco, and Veracruz, with pilot projects in Guerrero, Nayarit, and Oaxaca. It promotes agroforestry and silvopastoral systems, as well as value chains for native species such as cacao and vanilla, strengthening both ecosystems and community livelihoods.

Laura Aguirre, Director General of Green Financing, SADER’s General Coordination for Sustainability and Climate Resilience, emphasized that these initiatives drive transformative change in agricultural production systems toward more sustainable models while improving the social well-being of producer communities. “By rehabilitating degraded productive areas, we will strengthen ecosystem services at the watershed level, which are fundamental for food production,” she said.

The three projects build upon efforts launched in 1997 through the partnership between the Mexican government, via CONANP, and FMCN. With support from 25 donors, including the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Government of Germany, 95 of the 232 federal PNAs now benefit from this collaboration.

Through this public-private partnership, the FANP finances key activities such as biological monitoring, restoration of degraded areas, community surveillance, fire management, productive projects, ecotourism, and capacity building, among others, contributing to the well-being of local communities.

Renée González, Director General, FMCN, concluded that the launch of these projects reaffirms Mexico’s commitment to biodiversity protection and sustainable development for future generations. “These initiatives establish the financial and institutional foundations for the country to achieve the Kunming-Montreal 30x30 goal and ensure sound management of 30% of the nation’s territory under conservation,” she stated.