Acting Assistant Secretary of State for Oceans and International Environmental and Scientific Affairs Jennifer R. Littlejohn will lead the U.S. delegation to the Seventh Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) taking place in Vancouver, Canada, August 22-26.
Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn will take part in high-level meetings to build on recent diplomatic breakthroughs on biodiversity loss, toxic chemicals, and the high seas. The GEF Assembly will be a critical stocktaking for 2030 goals to end pollution and nature loss, combat climate change, and propel inclusive, locally-led conservation. It is expected to include the launch of the Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Fund, a new source of funding for helping governments conserve, protect and restore nature worldwide. Acting Assistant Secretary Littlejohn will also participate in the official launch of the Nature Crime Alliance-a global, multi-sector network to raise political will, mobilize financial commitments, and bolster operational capacity to combat nature crimes including criminal forms of logging, mining, wildlife trade, land conversion, and associated criminal activities, as well as crimes associated with fishing. The U.S. delegation will also include Deputy Director Abigail Demopulos from the Department of the Treasury, who is also the U.S. Council Member on the GEF Council, and other officials from the Department of State.
