Colombian Appointed as Executive Director of the World’s Largest Environmental Fund

A Colombian was appointed as executive director of the Global Environment Facility (GEF), which is regarded as the leading source of international public financing for environmental projects. For more than three decades, it has provided more than US$27 billion in funding, primarily through grants, and has mobilized another US$155 billion for environmental projects led by developing countries. To lead this powerful institution, its Governing Council appointed Colombian Diego Mesa Puyo.

GEF is the principal source of funding for biodiversity protection worldwide and is the only multilateral fund that works across every aspect of environmental health. In fact, GEF is a family of funds.

Its scope can be understood by considering that it helps developing countries fulfill their obligations under several international conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Minamata Convention on Mercury, the Stockholm Convention on Persistent Organic Pollutants, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, and the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change.

Colombian appointed director of GEF: Diego Mesa Puyo takes over at a decisive stage

Another way to understand the magnitude of the GEF, established in 1991 with the purpose of providing grants and assistance for projects that contribute to protecting “global environmental benefits,” is by looking at its reach. It currently has 184 member countries, 40 of which are donors that finance projects through one of the fund’s five windows: biodiversity, climate change, land degradation, international waters, chemicals, and waste.

It operates in four-year cycles, preceded by a resource replenishment strategy. For each period, donors commit to providing a specific amount of funding. For example, during the 2022-2026 period, GEF-8 was in effect, with the largest share of resources allocated to biodiversity protection.

That support was essential in making the Leaders’ Pledge for Nature a reality, with the goal of reversing biodiversity loss by 2030 through the protection of ocean and land areas of significant global biodiversity.

Colombian Diego Mesa Puyo, former minister of Mines and Energy and former deputy division chief of the Climate Policy Division at the International Monetary Fund (IMF), will lead GEF during its ninth four-year cycle (GEF-9), which runs from 2026 to 2030, a period considered decisive for advancing the achievement of the global environmental targets set for 2030.

Among the priorities for the period under Mesa Puyo’s leadership are promoting integrated solutions at scale; incorporating blended finance; fostering whole-of-government and whole-of-society approaches; ensuring robust financing for the least developed countries and small island developing states; expanding support for Indigenous Peoples and local communities; and increasing efficiency and effectiveness.

Working together to achieve environmental goals

In announcing the news, GEF described Mesa Puyo in a statement as a “renowned international leader in energy policy, economic development, and sustainability.”

In the same statement, it highlighted that, as Colombia’s Minister of Mines and Energy from 2018 to 2022, he led one of Latin America‘s most ambitious energy transition policies, implementing market reforms that mobilized more than US$3 billion in private investment and accelerated the deployment of non-conventional renewable energy sources, taking them from virtually nonexistent levels to making the country one of the fastest-growing markets in the region.

Also, according to GEF, he “played a decisive role in advancing legislation aimed at promoting the energy transition and strengthening climate action by incorporating sustainability objectives into the country’s economic and development policies.”

“I am deeply honored to take on the role of the next chief executive officer and chairperson of GEF at this pivotal moment for the international community,” Mesa Puyo said, as quoted in the statement.

He added, “Countries need trusted partners that can help them turn their aspirations into concrete action,” he added. “Building on GEF’s extraordinary legacy, I look forward to working with the secretariat, member countries, and our partners around the world to achieve our shared environmental and development goals by integrating solutions, catalyzing investments, and delivering tangible results for people and the planet.”

Rigorous and transparent selection process

Richard Bontjer, Co-Chair of GEF Council and Council Member representing Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of Korea, welcomed the Colombian and said that he “brings the leadership, vision, and experience needed to deliver on the ambitions of GEF-9 replenishment in an increasingly complex global environmental landscape.”

“At this pivotal moment, Diego’s appointment is an opportunity to lead GEF in strengthening access for vulnerable countries, including small island developing states and the least developed countries, advancing local participation and solutions, and deepening partnerships while catalyzing private finance to mobilize the scale of action and investment needed to address today’s environmental challenges,” he added, also quoted in the statement.

For his part, Maher Abdelrahim, chair of GEF Council’s Selection and Review Committee and Council Member representing Afghanistan, Jordan, Iraq, Lebanon, Pakistan, Syria, and Yemen, said that the Selection and Review Committee “conducted a rigorous, transparent, and merit-based process to identify the most qualified candidate to lead the GEF family of funds during this critical period for global environmental action.”

“We are confident that Diego Mesa Puyo will bring the vision, leadership, and experience needed to build upon GEF’s strong foundation and help deliver ambitious results for countries and the global environment,” he added in the same document.

In addition to GEF Trust Fund, Mesa Puyo will lead the Global Biodiversity Framework Fund, the Least Developed Countries Fund, and the Special Climate Change Fund, which provide targeted support to countries in achieving global biodiversity and climate adaptation goals.

Mesa Puyo will succeed Claude Gascon, chief executive officer and acting chair, who has led GEF since December 2025 and said, “I am confident that under Diego Mesa Puyo’s leadership, the strong momentum from our latest replenishment will remain on track toward 2030. The global environmental benefits generated by GEF are the foundation for a healthier planet and a better future for everyone.”