Carlos Manuel Rodríguez was reappointed today as CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility (GEF). He was elected for a second four-year term through 2028 by 32 Council members representing the GEF’s 186 member countries.
“I am honored to be appointed to lead the GEF as it increases and accelerates its support to countries to achieve global environmental benefits during challenging times for the planet and people. I look forward to continuing to implement transformative changes that will make this partnership even more integrated, inclusive, and impactful,” said Rodríguez.
“2030 is around the corner and the world continues to struggle to keep on the rails with the climate, nature, and pollution targets. Corrective actions are needed now and to be on track with all targets, nations need the support of a GEF that is bigger in ambition, bolder in action, and better in impact,” he added.
Laura Aguirre, Chair of the Selection and Review Committee and Mexico GEF Council Member said: “The Council has decided to reappoint Carlos Manuel Rodríguez for a second term as the GEF’s CEO and Chairperson, recognizing his strong performance and leadership in his first term. Carlos Manuel, the GEF family, and the global community are counting on you.”
Dawda Badgie, Executive Director of the National Environment Agency of Gambia and Co-Chair of the 67th GEF Council currently taking place in Washington, DC, said: “Mr. Rodríguez’s leadership has been instrumental in advancing changes to increase the GEF’s role and impact in response to the global environmental crises. We look forward to continuing to support his work through the GEF-9 replenishment process and to accelerate the achievement of ambitious global environmental benefits, particularly in Africa.”
During his first term, Rodríguez led the record GEF-8 replenishment in 2022, which received $5.33 billion in pledges from 29 donor governments. The GEF’s mandate also broadened over this period, as it was selected to house the new Global Biodiversity Framework Fund and became part of the financial mechanism of the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biodiversity in Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction, known as BBNJ.
The Least Developed Countries Fund (LDCF) provides implementation support to all LDCs and is on track in GEF-8 to provide $1 billion to address their climate adaptation priorities. The Special Climate Change Fund (SCCF) has sharpened its focus to provide targeted support to SIDS, while also facilitating technology transfer and private sector engagement.
Under Rodríguez’s leadership, the GEF Secretariat undertook a reform to increase efficiency, effectiveness, and impact addressing the immediate needs of GEF-8 and looking ahead to GEF-9 and beyond. The GEF also created 11 Integrated Programs to address multiple threats simultaneously, such as environmental degradation linked to cities, food systems, plastics, ocean, and forest management.
Before becoming GEF CEO in 2020, Rodríguez served three terms as Minister of Environment and Energy of Costa Rica, a period during which the country doubled the size of its forests, made its power sector 100 percent renewable, and became a top ecotourism destination. Rodríguez was a pioneer in the development of payment for ecosystem services, ocean conservation, and de-carbonization strategies, and is an expert in environmental policies, multilateral negotiations, and financing for nature conservation
