Germany, the Wyss Foundation, and the Rob Walton Foundation announce $300 million to provide long-term support for 10 keystone protected areas in Africa. Members of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People launch a Declaration calling on governments and stakeholders to renew political leadership on 30×30 and urgently move from commitment to implementation.
New York | 23 September 2026
Heads of Government and ministers convened at United Nations Headquarters during the UN General Assembly and Climate Week, making significant finance and protection announcements towards the 30×30 target and calling for increased urgency from government leaders to achieve it.
The high-level event marked a moment of renewed leadership and momentum for nature, bringing together the highest levels of government to demonstrate progress already underway, assess what is needed to close the remaining gaps, and launch a new push to accelerate implementation before 2030.
The event was headlined by an announcement from Germany, the Wyss Foundation, and the Rob Walton Foundation to collectively give $300 million to the Legacy Landscapes Fund for the long-term protection of key sites in Africa. This contribution marks one of the largest financing announcements for 30×30 since the target was agreed at CBD COP15 in 2022.
Ambitions for protected areas
“I am pleased to share that Guyana is advancing plans to designate approximately 1.5 million hectares, or 3.7 million acres, of pristine, biodiversity-rich, and largely intact forest within the State Forests in the Rupununi region as a permanent conservation area.
As this process moves forward, this area will likely be one of the largest single blocks of permanent conservation designated globally by a high-forest-cover, low-deforestation country. It will also make a significant contribution to Guyana’s Target 3 ambition and could effectively double the country’s area under permanent conservation… Let us make 30 by 30 not simply a global target, but a global programme of action.”
Mohamed Irfaan Ali, President of Guyana
“By 2030, we aim to secure a sustainable future of 80 million hectares of priority terrestrial ecosystems and up to 40 million hectares of priority marine ecosystems. This year, Madagascar established 21 new protected areas, covering 1.8 million hectares.
Beyond the number of hectares protected, our objective is to ensure effective conservation, strengthen ecosystem resilience, and deliver lasting benefits to local communities… Today, Madagascar reaffirms its commitment to continue its efforts towards achieving the 30 by 30 targets.
However, this ambition can only be realized through plenty of action and the support of our partners. Just yesterday, here in New York, Madagascar received a $10 million commitment from Rainforest Trust in support of the government’s efforts to deliver this ambition.”
Colonel Michael Randrianirina, President of the Refoundation of the Republic of Madagascar
“Through Tonga’s Marine Spatial Plan, 30.4% of our ocean space is fully protected, and we meet the ambitions of the 30 by 30 target. However, since coming into office nine months ago, I have had the ambition of increasing the 30 to 50 percent in Tonga… Investment in nature is investment in development, security, and the future habitability of our islands.”
Fatafehi Fakafānua, Prime Minister of Tonga
“Protecting biodiversity in line with the targets of the Global Biodiversity Framework isn’t just an obligation to small island developing states within the Caribbean like Grenada. Sustainably managing biodiversity delivers climate resilience, preservation of natural and indigenous ecosystems, recognition of our cultural heritage and places use on a path of economic viability.
The consideration of our special circumstances means that without adequate financing, technical assistance, and capacity building we are amputated from delivering our unique contribution toward the global 30×30 goal.”
Hon. Kerryne James, Minister of Environment, Climate Resilience and Renewable Energy of Grenada
$300 million for long-term conservation in Africa
The $300 million announcement was made by Carsten Schneieder, Federal Minister for the Environment, Climate Action, Nature Conservation and Nuclear Safety:
“Intact nature acts as a buffer against the impacts of the climate crisis. To safeguard these protected areas for the long-term, Germany will contribute $100 million to the Legacy Landscapes Fund. We will be joined in this effort by a $100 million pledge from the Wyss Foundation and a $100 million pledge from the Rob Walton Foundation – $300 million dollars. This is enough to protect and conserve 10 keystone protected areas in Africa for 50 years.”
Renewing international momentum towards COP17
“The time has come to match ambition with implementation. CBD COP17 in Yerevan will be a critical moment to take stock of our collective progress and accelerate action to deliver Target 3 by 2030.”
Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of Armenia and CBD COP17 President
“Biodiversity is not what surrounds us; it is what defines every life and activity. As co-chair of the HAC for Nature and People with Nigeria, France is strongly committed to foster the implementation of the 30×30 goal, as reaffirmed by the HAC’s 30×30 Declaration.
The BBNJ Treaty, now ratified by 100 parties, will serve as a powerful catalyst. But the qualitative dimension of conservation is just as vital as quantity. France is determined to contribute to a successful CBD COP17, by ensuring an action-oriented global assessment, broadening the donor’s base, promoting ecological planning governance, while defending science at this critical moment.”
Barbara Pompili, Ambassador for the Environment of France
“A thriving natural environment and resilient seas are the best tools we have to tackle climate change. The message for the next four years is clear – we must work together to turn ambition into action to protect and restore 30% of our land and oceans by 2030.”
Dame Angela Eagle, Environment Secretary of the United Kingdom
HAC members launch the 30×30 Ministerial Declaration
During the event, members of the High Ambition Coalition for Nature and People launched a Ministerial Declaration calling for urgent and effective implementation of 30×30, with strong national ownership, transparent monitoring, durable conservation outcomes, and the full participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
The Declaration calls for a shift from ambition to delivery, urging governments and stakeholders to bring concrete, time-bound actions to CBD COP17, strengthen marine and transboundary conservation, implement the BBNJ Treaty, and mobilize financing.
It also calls for the first 30×30 Global Summit to sustain political momentum and accelerate progress towards the 2030 goal.
“We call on all governments to intensify action towards the achievement of the 30×30 target […] and ensure that this global target is implemented with urgency, integrity, and inclusiveness, for the benefit of present and future generations.”
30×30 Global Assessment
The event also saw the release of the 30×30 Global Assessment, published by Campaign for Nature and Together for the Ocean, which analyses global progress towards 30×30.
Among its key findings, the assessment finds that governments have already demonstrated that rapid progress is possible and that success is viable with increased leadership and ambition.
Existing government commitments would bring protected and conserved area coverage to 27% of the planet’s land and just 12% of the ocean.
The assessment identifies actions governments can prioritize to accelerate action and close the gaps by 2030, including moving quickly to implement and strengthen existing commitments, taking action through the High Seas Treaty, recognizing the rights and leadership of Indigenous Peoples and local communities, significantly increasing finance to the right places, and mainstreaming nature in national decision-making.
Notes to Editors:
The High-Level Declaration for 30×30 is available at:
The 30×30 Global Biodiversity Assessment is available at: