CLIMATE · VERIFIED DEVELOPMENT
UN Fund for Sharing Biodiversity Benefits Struggles for Contributions
WHY IT MATTERS
The Cali Fund's struggles highlight the need for increased awareness and contributions to support the sharing of biodiversity benefits, which is crucial for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.
What happened
The Cali Fund, established by the United Nations to share benefits from digitized genetic information from biodiversity, has received only two confirmed contributions totaling $6,000. The fund aims to mobilize $1 billion annually, but its low profile and lack of contributions hinder its progress. A U. K.
-based AI startup, TierraViva AI, made the first payment of $1,000 in November 2025, followed by a $5,000 contribution from U. K. -based biotech firm Prozomix in July.
Another company, U. S. biotech firm Ginkgo Bioworks, had announced its intention to contribute but has yet to transfer funds.
PRIMARY SOURCES
UN fund for sharing biodiversity benefits struggles for attention — and money
Mongabay · Malavikavyawahare · Discovery and factual synthesis only; publisher copyright terms apply