Organised by:
Caribbean Conservation Finance Congress 2025
Conservation Outcomes through Regional Action and Leverage (CORAL): CBF and CTFs Driving Sustainable Finance
About the Event
The Caribbean Biodiversity Fund hosted the Third Caribbean Conservation Finance Congress (CCFC 2025) on July 30 – 31, 2025. The event brought together a cadre of experts and key stakeholders to highlight the critical role of conservation trust funds in driving measurable impact toward global biodiversity targets at national and regional levels. This year’s focus was especially timely as the global community intensified efforts to meet the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets by 2030.
Conservation trust funds across the Caribbean have emerged as powerful vehicles for translating international commitments into tangible conservation outcomes. The Congress will showcase innovative financing mechanisms, governance structures, and impact measurement frameworks that enable conservation trust funds to effectively support national governments in meeting their biodiversity commitments while ensuring sustainable development.
Get ready for the CCFC 2027
You can register now for our next Caribbean Conservation Finance Congress,
which will be held July 28-29 of 2027.
Watch the Recordings
What happened during the CCFC 2025?
The 2025 Congress highlighted the role of conservation trust funds as catalysts for achieving global biodiversity, climate, and sustainable development targets by:
Building capacity and fostering collaboration among trust funds, government agencies, and partners on blue economy finance, gender-responsive conservation, circular economy models, and climate adaptation in Small Island Developing States (SIDS)
Increasing knowledge and sharing experiences on aligning fund portfolios with global frameworks, advancing sustainable blue value chains, and strengthening governance and nature-based economic models
Facilitating strategic networking to forge lasting partnerships that enhance climate finance access, expand conservation impact, and reinforce CTF governance across the Caribbean
Content Themes
Blue Economy & Sustainable Value Chains
Financing ocean conservation, coastal resilience, and equitable blue value chains that sustain livelihoods and biodiversity.
Climate Finance & Adaptation in SIDS
Aligning national climate strategies with international financing frameworks to enhance resilience and unlock climate finance.
Inclusive & Gender-Responsive Finance
Mainstreaming gender equity and social inclusion in conservation finance operations and impact measurement.
CTFs as Drivers of Global Commitments
Strengthening the role of CTFs in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and SDG 14.
Sustainable Finance & Circular Economy Models
Advancing circular economy principles and innovative financing models that integrate environmental, social, and economic goals.
Scaling Conservation Impact
Leveraging donor capital, private sector investment, and blended finance to maximize impact across the region.
Agenda
Opening Ceremony
- Time: 9:00 - 9:45 EDT
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Speakers:
Karen McDonald Gayle
Moderator
Karolin Troubetzkoy
Quentin Lajus
Robert Brumbaugh
Keynote Address: The Caribbean Roadmap 30x30
- Time: 9:45 - 10:00 EDT
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Speakers:
Karen McDonald Gayle
Moderator
Hon. Kerryne James
Keynote
Coffee Break
- Time: 10:00 - 10:15 EDT
- Duration: 15 minutes
Panel discussion on SIDS CTFs and their role in national and international commitments (NBSAP)
- Time: 10:15 - 11:45 EDT
- Duration: 1 hour & 30 min.
- Speakers:
Oleta Williams
Moderator
Kate Brown
H.E. Ruleta Camacho Thomas
Dr. Adriana Goncalves Moreira
Lunch
- Time: 11:45 - 12:30 EDT
- Duration: 45 minutes
Panel Discussion: Strengthening Caribbean Conservation: Synergies Between Conservation Trust Funds and the GEF Small Grants Programme
- Time: 12:30 - 14:00 EDT
- Duration: 1 hour & 30 mins.
- Speakers:
Craig Henry
Moderator
Angelica Shamerina
Tomas Escobar Herrera
Free de Koning
Closing Session
- Time: 14:00 - 14:15 EDT
- Duration: 15 minutes
- Speakers:
Cordia Chambers-Johnson
Karen McDonald Gayle
Opportunities of Blue Carbon in the Caribbean
- Time: 9:00 - 10:00 EDT
- Duration: 1 hour
- Speakers:
Tadzio Bervoets
Moderator
Karen McDonald Gayle
Dr. Peter Edwards
Roundtable Discussion: Unlocking Debt For Nature Swaps
- Time: 10:00 - 11:00 EDT
- Duration: 1 hour
- Speakers:
James Ellsmoor
Moderator
Zaid Dannsa
Rochelle Newbold
Beverly Wade
Karen Panton
Leandra Cho Ricketts
Coffee Break
- Time: 11:00 - 11:15 EDT
- Duration: 15 minutes
Panel Discussion: Climate financing for conservation in the Caribbean such as GCF, Adaptation Fund
- Time: 11:15 - 12:00 EDT
- Duration: 45 minutes
- Speakers:
Cheryl Senhouse
Moderator
Colin Young
Kieran St Omer
Lunch
- Time: 12:00 - 12:45 EDT
- Duration: 45 minutes
Panel Discussion: Aligning Finance, Equity, and Climate Action: The Strategic Role of Conservation Trust Funds and Environmental Organizations in Advancing Global Biodiversity Goals & Closing
- Time: 12:45 - 14:30 EDT
- Duration: 1 hour & 45 mins.
- Speakers:
Tanja Lieuw
Moderator
Amy Jones
James Crockett
Linda Breukers
Karen McDonald Gayle
Meet the Speakers
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the event free?
Yes, the event is completely free and virtual.
Where will the sessions be held?
The sessions will be held on the Zoom platform
How can I stay up to date with the event?
Upon registering for the event, you will receive a ticket email confirming your access. In the coming weeks, you will receive email updates regarding the event from the CBF Secretariat.
Our Donors
