The meeting was chaired by Resident Representative Claudio Tomasi and the President of Fundación Alimentaris, Karina Bentivoglio.
The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and Fundación Alimentaris signed a Memorandum of Understanding aimed at strengthening collaboration to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity through the development of sustainable financial solutions. This strategic agreement establishes a cooperation framework to jointly advance the implementation of the Biodiversity Finance Initiative – BIOFIN in Argentina.
The signing of this Memorandum of Understanding marks a significant milestone in the shared efforts of both institutions to address the challenges posed by the global environmental crisis, particularly the loss of biodiversity. This partnership seeks to implement innovative strategies to mobilize resources for nature protection, while fostering the bioeconomy, green jobs, and sustainable economic development.
A Commitment to Biodiversity and Sustainable Development
UNDP is the United Nations’ leading agency on international development, celebrating 40 years of uninterrupted presence in Argentina. Globally, it works to promote sustainable development and eradicate poverty. Through its Biodiversity Finance Initiative (BIOFIN), it supports projects that integrate biodiversity into public policies and financial systems in various countries, including Argentina. Since 2022, the initiative has been active in the country with the goal of developing a biodiversity finance plan at both national and provincial levels—in the provinces of Misiones and Chaco.
Regarding the signing of the agreement, Claudio Tomasi, UNDP Argentina Resident Representative, stated:
“With the signing of this MOU, UNDP Argentina and Fundación Alimentaris join forces to advance innovative financial solutions that protect our biodiversity and secure a sustainable future for Argentina. This partnership helps close the financing gap and build a new paradigm for investing in nature.”
For its part, Fundación Alimentaris has maintained a strong commitment since 2012 to developing approaches and methodologies that improve the material and symbolic living conditions of communities, promote sustainable and inclusive economies and finance, and contribute to ecosystem protection and care. Through this new partnership, the Foundation will play an active role in designing innovative projects and solutions within the Initiative’s framework, working collaboratively to close the biodiversity finance gap.
With enthusiasm, Karina Bentivoglio, President of Fundación Alimentaris, stated:
“This partnership with UNDP marks a milestone in the history of Alimentaris. As part of civil society, Alimentaris continuously seeks to open new pathways in the field of impact finance. This collaboration is key to exploring how we can apply different financial instruments to advance the biodiversity agenda, generating concrete and scalable solutions that contribute to the conservation of our ecosystems.”
This memorandum stands as a new example of collaboration between an international organization and civil society to promote sustainable and human-centered development.
