Introduction of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership in Kenya and Inaugural NBCM Technical Committee Meeting

Date: Monday, 22 September 2025
Venue: Sarova PanAfric Hotel, Nairobi, Kenya

Introduction

Kenya successfully hosted the Introduction of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership in Kenya and Inaugural NBCM Technical Committee Meeting. The event, held on 22 September 2025 in Nairobi, marked a significant milestone in advancing Kenya’s leadership in biodiversity conservation and in the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership  launched at the UN Biodiversity Conference (COP15) in December 2022, is country-led global initiative that supports the revision, implementation, and monitoring of NBSAPs. It is co-chaired by Colombia and Germany, supported by the governments of Germany and Norway, and facilitated by a Global Coordination Unit (GCU) hosted by UNEP, UNDP, and the CBD Secretariat. Kenya, an active member of the Partnership, has played a regional leadership role in mainstreaming gender, finance, and participatory governance into biodiversity planning.T

Opening Session

The launch brought together government representatives, civil society, UN agencies, development partners, and diplomatic missions. Representatives from ministries, national agencies such as NEMA, KFS, and KWS, as well as strategic partners and the private sector, were present.

The meeting was opened with introductions and objectives of the launch, led by the Ministry of Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry, reaffirming Kenya’s commitment to biodiversity and sustainable development.

Remarks

NBSAP Accelerator Partnership Facilitator, Mr. David Githaiga and Antony Kamau Programme Management OffIcer UNEP.

• Highlighted the vision of the Partnership as an engine to accelerate biodiversity action, enabling countries to achieve the targets of the GBF and the global aspiration of living in harmony with nature by 2050.

• Recognized Kenya’s leadership in the region, noting the establishment of a facilitator in the country.

• Emphasized the importance of technical, financial, and political support to drive NBSAP implementation.

IUCN Representative, Ms. Catherine Mungai

• Stressed the need for a whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach to biodiversity action.

• Reiterated IUCN’s readiness to “walk the journey together” with Kenya and its partners in delivering on biodiversity goals.

Donor Representatives: Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. Dr. Martin Röw

• Remarks were delivered by embassy representatives from Colombia, France, Canada, and Norway, with strong support expressed by Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany" is Dr. Martin Röw, who currently serves as the Deputy Permanent Representative of Germany to the United Nations in Nairobi, Kenya. In this role, he represents Germany's interests in Nairobi-based UN entities, focusing on sustainable development, environmental governance, and related global issues. 

  Germany reaffirmed its long-term commitment to the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, while also noting the reality of declining global resources for biodiversity.

• Donors collectively called for impactful, innovative, and coordinated solutions to scale biodiversity conservation.

Guest of Honor – Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change, and Forestry

• Delivered the keynote address, emphasizing Kenya’s adoption of the Kunming-Montreal GBF and commitment to protecting the country’s unique wildlife, ecosystems, and natural heritage.

• Described the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership as an engine that will power implementation of the GBF.

• Called for whole-of-government and whole-of-society engagement, stressing that localized action at the county and community levels will be essential.

• Concluded with a call to action for all stakeholders and partners to align resources, innovations, and political will in support of Kenya’s biodiversity agenda.

Presentations

The Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) – Mr. Micheal Ngugi Kimani

Mr. Micheal presented on the role of the Regional Centre for Mapping of Resources for Development (RCMRD) as one of the five African Technical and Scientific Cooperation Support Centres established under CBD COP16 (Cali, Colombia, October 2024).

He highlighted that RCMRD, through its Memoranda of Understanding with key partners, is committed to supporting the achievement of Target 3 of the CBD, which seeks to ensure effective conservation of at least 30% of terrestrial and marine areas.

RCMRD will provide technical expertise, geospatial mapping, and capacity-building support to enhance national and regional biodiversity conservation efforts across Eastern and Southern Africa. Beyond Target 3, RCMRD will also focus on Targets 1 and 2 of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), aligning its work with transformative conservation goals for people, nature, and sustainable futures.

Kenya’s NBSAP Revision and Alignment with the KM-GBF – Ms. Faith Nyokabi, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry

Ms. Nyokabi presented Kenya’s progress in the revision of its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) to align with the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

Her presentation covered:

• Background of the GBF and its global targets.

• Rapid Review of the Draft NBSAP, ensuring coherence with national priorities.

• Policy and institutional alignment, integrating biodiversity across ministries and agencies.

• Assessment of biodiversity monitoring systems, aimed at strengthening data-driven decision-making.

• National target setting, which has led to the development of 25 national biodiversity targets for Kenya’s revised NBSAP.

The NBSAP Accelerator Partnership – Mr. David Githaiga, Facilitator

Mr. David Githaiga provided an overview of the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, a country-led global initiative designed to support the timely and ambitious implementation of NBSAPs.

Key highlights of his presentation included:

• Vision and Goals of the Partnership in accelerating biodiversity action.

• Governance arrangements, including the Steering Committee.

• The Matchmaking Mechanism, which will leverage technology, including AI, to link country needs with appropriate technical and financial resources.

• The importance of communication and advocacy for whole-of-society engagement.

• The facilitator programme, which ensures national-level coordination and support.

He emphasized that the Partnership aims to deliver a united global effort for nature and people, with Kenya playing a leading role through its national facilitators.

Kenya’s National Biodiversity Coordination Mechanism (NBCM) – Ms. Catherine Mungai, IUCN Representative

Ms. Catherine Mungai provided an update on Kenya’s National Biodiversity Coordination Mechanism (NBCM), launched in August 2024 by Dr. Eng. Festus K. Ngeno the Principal Secretary, State Department of Environment and Climate Change, Ministry of Environment, Climate Change and Forestry.

She explained that the NBSAP Accelerator Partnership has taken up the NBCM as a national initiative, aligning it to Target 14 of the GBF.

Her presentation outlined:

• Goals and objectives of the NBCM in providing whole-of-government and whole-of-society coordination.

• The team and leadership structures guiding its work.

• The role of thematic working groups, which serve as the engine of the mechanism, driving collaboration across biodiversity, climate, and development sectors.

• The NBCM’s position as a model of inclusive governance and a practical tool to advance national and global biodiversity commitments. 

Download Draft Terms of Reference
Kenya National Biodiversity Coordination Mechanism (NBCM

The Cabinet Secretary for Environment, Climate Change and Forestry, Dr. Debora Barasawas  represented by Ms. Mayiani Saino, Deputy Director for MEAs who delivered remarks on her behalf during the launch held Sarova Panafric hotel in  Nairobi.

Speaking on behalf of the CS, Ms. Mayiani highlighted the urgent need to accelerate action to protect Kenya’s rich biodiversity, which is increasingly facing threats by habitat loss, climate change, pollution, and illegal wildlife trade.