The 32-member Council will consider a new work program under the GEF’s eighth replenishment cycle (GEF-8) totaling over USD 550 million, which is expected to generate over USD 4 billion in co-financing for projects benefitting people and the planet.

Despite long hours of difficult negotiations and progress on streamlining ideas and trying to bridge the gap between countries, delegates could not reach agreement on a new treaty to end plastic pollution. They agreed to suspend the session and reconvene in 2025.

Mining stakeholders discussed accelerating the production of critical minerals, the possible role of circularity in bridging the critical minerals supply gap, and the nexus of critical minerals and gender equality, among other issues.