Kunming Biodiversity Fund: Empowering Iran to Tackle Sustainable Development Goals

The Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), in collaboration with the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), has taken a significant step in supporting Iran’s efforts to mitigate the impacts of sand and dust storms (SDSs). This initiative is aimed at enhancing resilience and protecting biodiversity in areas affected by these environmental challenges.

According to Behzad Rayegani, the secretary of the national policymaking headquarters for dealing with SDSs, this marks the first time the KBF has approved a project proposed by Iran’s national headquarters specifically focused on managing SDSs. The approval is a landmark development, emphasizing the importance of environmental diplomacy and regional cooperation in combating dust.

This project is part of a broader comprehensive dust combating program under Iran’s seventh National Development Plan (2023-2027). It has been developed in close collaboration with the UNDP’s country and regional offices, reflecting a multifaceted approach to sandstorm control that also prioritizes the protection of both plant and animal biodiversity.

Rayegani highlighted three key areas of focus for this initiative:

• Enhancing institutional and technical capacities to protect biodiversity in regions affected by dust.
• Developing and implementing innovative measures to safeguard plant and animal species within sensitive ecosystems.
• Raising public and specialist awareness about the crucial link between dust, ecosystem health, and biodiversity.

The national headquarters for dealing with SDSs plans to utilize the funding to connect local and regional efforts in combating SDSs while enhancing resilience against these environmental threats at both the regional and global levels. This achievement is seen as a vital step towards ensuring land and biodiversity protection against dust.

The KBF was launched in 2024 by the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP) and China to provide financial and technical support for implementing biodiversity plans in developing countries. Since its inception, the KBF has rapidly evolved into a robust fund aimed at accelerating the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

The Fund prioritizes a comprehensive, whole-of-society approach to tackle nature and biodiversity loss. Key objectives include:

• Improving policies for biodiversity at national and subnational levels.
• Strengthening capacities and cooperation among various stakeholders.
• Mobilizing additional resources for biodiversity initiatives.

In addition to the KBF’s initiatives, a comprehensive plan for combating SDSs was approved in August. This plan serves as a national reference document aimed at enhancing Iran’s resilience against one of its most acute environmental challenges.

During the 29th meeting of the national specialized working group on SDS management, held on August 19, a detailed 150-page comprehensive plan was developed through cross-sectoral collaboration among 15 executive agencies and government bodies. Key contributors included the Department of Environment (DOE), as well as ministries of agriculture, health, energy, and transport, along with organizations focused on natural resources, crisis management, and meteorology.

The comprehensive plan encompasses:

• Ten key strategies aimed at addressing SDSs.
• Hundreds of specific actions to implement these strategies.
• Performance indicators to measure success.
• An implementation timeline for executing the plan.
• Clear division of responsibilities among involved agencies.

In July, President Masoud Pezeshkian emphasized the urgency of addressing SDSs, which have become a significant public health concern in Iran. He called for the establishment of a specialized working group dedicated to combating SDSs. In a meeting held on July 13, the DOE presented a report detailing the dangers posed by SDSs, describing them as a comprehensive and growing threat to both public health and the environment.

The president’s initiative underscores the critical need for preserving the environment, directing experts, academics, and representatives from various ministries and executive agencies to develop and implement effective operational plans to combat dust phenomena. This approach draws on successful international experiences to inform local strategies.

Dust storms represent major environmental challenges that significantly impact food security, human health, and sustainable development processes at both national and regional levels. By addressing these issues through collaborative efforts, Iran aims to enhance its resilience against SDSs while promoting biodiversity conservation.