Biodiversity is fundamental to the sociocultural and economic development of Zimbabwe. Nearly 70% Of Zimbabwe's population directly depends on biodiversity for their livelihoods. As such, biodiversity underpins the country's food and water security, climate resilience, and sustainable development. However, biodiversity is deteriorating globally at unprecedented rates, and Zimbabwe is no exception. The major drivers of biodiversity loss in Zimbabwe include land use change, habitat degradation, pollution, invasive alien species, human-wildlife conflict, overexploitation Of natural resources, and climate change. These pressures threaten ecosystem services and human well-being. Zimbabwe is a Party to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a globally binding treaty for the conservation and sustainable use Of biodiversity. The CBD has three main objectives: 1. Conservation of biological diversity, 2. Sustainable use Of its components, and 3. Fair and equitable sharing of benefits arising from the use of genetic resources. To meet its commitments under the CBD, Zimbabwe is required to prepare, implement, and periodically update its National Biodiversity Strategy and Action plan (NBSAP), aligned with broader national development planning. In December 2022, at the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15), Parties to the CBD adopted the Kunming—Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KM-GBF), a transformative roadmap to halt and reverse biodiversity loss by 2030. The KM-GBF emphasizes rights-based approaches, inclusive governance, financing, and strengthened participation Of Indigenous peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs). In response, Zimbabwe, through the Ministry of Environment, Climate and Wildlife (MECW), led a broad mufti-stakeholder process between July 2024 and June 2025 to revise and align its national biodiversity strategy. The resulting Third NBSAP (2025—2030) is a strategic roadmap for action, fully aligned with the KM-GBF and Zimbabwe's national priorities. It sets out a bold and inclusive agenda to halt and reverse biodiversity loss, and to ensure that biodiversity contributes to the well-being Of present and future generations. Goal and Strategic Objectives The goal of the Third NBSAP is to: "Halt and Reverse Biodiversity Loss by Conserving and Sustainably using Biodiversity and by Ensuring the Fair and Equitable Sharing of Benefits from the use of Geneäc Resources It is structured around three strategic objectives, supported by 23 action-oriented targets: 2. 3. Reduce threats to biodiversity; Ensure sustainable use of, and fair and equitable benefit-sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources, with the full and effective participation of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs); Strengthen the tools and enhance solutions for implementation and mainstreaming of the third NBSAP incorporating traditional knowledge, innovations, practices, and priorities of IPLCs in policy planning and implementation. Each strategic objective is accompanied by specific targets, actions, and indicators for measuring progress. These targets cover key areas such as management protected areas, species conservation, sustainable resource use, pollution reduction, climate resilience, access and benefit-sharing (ABS), capacity-building, gender equity, and green financing. Implementation: Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society (WoG-WoS) Approach The Third NBSAP will be implemented through a Whole-of-Government and Whole-of-Society (WOG- WOS) approach, ensuring coordination and collaboration across all levels Of government and sectors Of society. This inclusive approach emphasizes the active participation of national and subnational institutions, civil society, the private sector, academia, media, and IPLCS, including women and youth. Implementation will be driven by a multi-level governance framework, integrating national leadership with bottom-up participatory planning: • At community level, Village Assemblies and Village Development Committees (VIDCOS) will lead local planning and biodiversity stewardship initiatives. • At ward level, Ward Development Committees (WADCOs) will align local actions with national biodiversity priorities. At district level, Rural and Urban District Councils and their Environment Committees will integrate NBSAP into local plans, ensure regulatory compliance, and support local capacity. At provincial level, Provincial Councils will align district initiatives with national objectives and facilitate multi-stakeholder engagement. • At national level, the MECW will lead policy coordination, while the Biodiversity Office will serve as the National Secretariat for NBSAP implementation, supported by the National Biodiversity Forum (NBF), a multi-stakeholder biodiversity platform (MSBP), which will act as the NBSAP Steering Committee. High-level oversight will be provided by: • The Presidency, offering political leadership and mainstreaming biodiversity into national priorities; • The Cabinet, ensuring cross-sectoral coherence; • Parliament, providing legislative oversight and approving biodiversity budgets. This integrated framework will ensure inclusive, accountable, and results-oriented governance for NBSAP implementation. Financing the Third NBSAP TO realize the ambitious targets Of the Third NBSAP (2025—2030), Zimbabwe has developed a comprehensive Finance Plan with a total budget of USD 1.51 billion over six years. The financing strategy is anchored on five interlinked pillars: 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Domestic Public Finance (national budgets, levies, subsidy reform), International Finance (GEF, GCF, bilateral donors etc), Private Sector Investment (offsets, CSR, green bonds), Market-Based Mechanisms (PES, carbon markets, biotrade), Innovative Finance (debt-for-nature swaps, diaspora green bonds, digital crowdfunding). 2 Budget by Strategic Objective: The total budget of USD 1.51 billion will be strategically allocated across the three core objectives of the Third NBSAP (2025-2030). The finance plan aims to mobilise at least USD 300 million per year by 2030, diversify funding sources, and mainstream biodiversity into budgeting and investment decisions. Implementation will be led by MECW and the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development and Investment Promotion (MFEDIP), with oversight from Cabinet and the Parliament's portfolio Committee on Environment, Climate and Wildlife. Complementary enabling measures include capacity-building, fiscal reforms, biodiversity expenditure reviews, and support for IPLC-led resource governance. Risk mitigation strategies address fragmented financing, low absorptive capacity, and donor dependency, while promoting transparency and accountability through robust monitoring, evaluation, and learning systems aligned with KM-GBF reporting. Conclusion The Third NBSAP (2025—2030) represents a landmark commitment by Zimbabwe to reverse biodiversity loss and transform nature conservation into a driver of inclusive and sustainable development. Anchored in global best practices, guided by the KM-GBF, and underpinned by strong national leadership, participatory governance, and a robust financing framework, this strategy provides a clear and actionable path toward a nature-positive Zimbabwe, where biodiversity thrives, ecosystems flourish, and all people benefit equitably.