At this event, the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC) and the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) will launch the first regional estimate of the biodiversity financing gap in Latin America and the Caribbean (LAC). The analysis finds that the annual gap between biodiversity financing needs and current flows exceeds 2% of the regional GDP.

The analysis provides a macroeconomic and financial perspective, presenting biodiversity as a critical natural infrastructure for economic stability. The financing gap cannot be understood solely as a problem of resource scarcity. It also reflects broader constraints associated with policy coherence, institutional design, the alignment of incentives, and the ability to structure bankable and scalable viable biodiversity investments.

From an action-oriented perspective, this publication identifies practical pathways for closing the gap, fostering the identification of sources of financing and (re)orient policies to increase positive flows; strengthening LAC’s position in mobilizing international resources; facilitating public debate on planning, policy prioritization, efficient allocation of spending, and enabling monitoring, transparency, and compliance with the GBF.

The event will bring together high-level experts to discuss regional perspectives on harmonizing natural capital economics, public finance, and capital markets. Ultimately, the discussion will evaluate realistic resource mobilization strategies and enhance state capacities to drive the transformative changes needed to protect the region's most vital strategic asset.