Storyline: A United Nations environmental official on Wednesday hailed the impact of a Chinese-backed biodiversity fund for its role in driving conservation action and in helping countries translate international commitments into national solutions. At an event held on the sidelines of the seventh session of the United Nations Environment Assembly in the Kenyan capital Nairobi, Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, the deputy executive director of the United Nations Environment Program, shared the latest progress of the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), which was launched by China in 2021, becoming the first international fund of its kind initiated by a developing country to support biodiversity conservation in other developing nations. Since, the fund became fully operational in May 2024, it has achieved key milestones such as establishing an independent technical advisory panel, approving operational guidelines, and launching full-scale project applications to ensure efficient and transparent management. In October, the KBF endorsed 22 projects worth over 27 million U.S. dollars in 34 countries to help meet commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, and Mrema highlighted how the fund is already making a real difference. "We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China for its leadership, which is driving global biodiversity action and helping countries translate international commitments into national solutions," she said. Guo Fang, Vice Minister of China's Ministry of Ecology and Environment, noted that the Kunming Biodiversity Fund has emerged as a new driving force in global biodiversity governance. He said the fund prioritizes the urgent needs of developing countries and directs resources toward key areas such as ecosystem restoration, sustainable use of biodiversity, and fair and equitable sharing of genetic resources, in line with the 23 action targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, a key outcome of the 2022 UN Biodiversity Conference of the Parties (COP15), which aims to protect 30 percent of land and oceans by 2020. International voices have also endorsed China's initiative and commended the country's role in fostering multilateral cooperation. "Sri Lanka values China's efforts to promote multilateralism, strengthen capacity building and share scientific and technological expertise. As a biodiversity rich island nation, Sri Lanka welcomes continued collaboration with China to safeguard ecosystems, build resilience and advance a greener and more sustainable future for all," said Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala, secretary of the Ministry of Environment of Sri Lanka. Shotlist: Nairobi, Kenya - Dec 10, 2025: 1. United Nations logo 2. Seventh session of United Nations Environment Assembly in progress, attendees 3. SOUNDBITE (English) Elizabeth Maruma Mrema, Deputy Executive Director, UNEP (partially overlaid with shots 4-5): "We extend our sincere gratitude to the Ministry of Ecology and Environment of China for its leadership, which is driving global biodiversity action and helping countries translate international commitments into national solutions." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown: 4. Aerial shot of green landscape, mountains 5. Aerial shots of aquatic birds, green landscape [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] Nairobi, Kenya - Dec 10, 2025: 6. Guo Fang, Chinese vice minister of Ecology and Environment, delivering speech 7. Various of attendees speaking at meeting, Guo listening 8. Various of attendees at meeting 9. SOUNDBITE (English) Kamal Rohitha Uduwawala, Secretary, Ministry of Environment, Sri Lanka (partially overlaid with shots 10-11): "Sri Lanka values China's efforts to promote multilateralism, strengthen capacity building and share scientific and technological expertise. As a biodiversity rich island nation, Sri Lanka welcomes continued collaboration with China to safeguard ecosystems, build resilience and advance a greener and more sustainable future for all." [SHOTS OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Kandy City, Sri Lanka - Date Unknown: 10. Various of river, buildings FILE: Sri Lanka - Oct 20, 2023: 11. Various of coconut trees, cows [SHOT OVERLAYING SOUNDBITE] FILE: Colombo, Sri Lanka - June 3, 2021: 12. Various of people clearing pollutants, litter from beach 13. Bags of collected pollutants on beach FILE: Kenya - Date Unknown: 14. Various of elephants, lions, giraffe, zebras, birds, other wildlife FILE: China - Exact Location and Date Unknown: 15. Bamboo trees 16. Birds flying over green reeds 17. Aerial shot of lakeshore, trees 18. Aerial shot of boats on lake 19. Aerial shot of swans, ducks on river 20. Aerial shot of mountain, field FILE: Hainan Province, south China - Date Unknown: 21. Aerial shots of coastal highway, sea [Restrictions: No access Chinese mainland]