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Samarkand, Uzbekistan – As the Eighth Assembly of the Global Environment Facility (GEF) entered its final stages in Samarkand, IUCN Director General, Grethel Aguilar, emphasized the critical role of local communities in achieving lasting conservation and sustainable development outcomes.

Speaking during the Assembly, Aguilar stressed that the greatest measure of success for conservation initiatives is when communities are fully empowered to take ownership of projects and continue leading them independently.

She noted that sustainability is best ensured when local communities have the capacity, confidence, and responsibility to manage and drive initiatives themselves, describing community ownership as a fundamental pillar of long-term impact.

Aguilar also highlighted the importance of flexibility in conservation and development work, emphasizing the need to listen carefully to the voices of communities and respond to their priorities and aspirations.

She underscored the value of working closely with local stakeholders in developing project proposals and designing interventions, ensuring that communities play a central role throughout the process.

Addressing environmental financing, Aguilar stressed the importance of ensuring that financial resources reach local communities directly and effectively, rather than being diminished through lengthy administrative processes between donors and beneficiaries. She called for approaches that maximize the flow of resources to the people and communities implementing conservation action on the ground.

The IUCN Director General further emphasized the importance of building broad partnerships that bring together governments, the private sector, non-governmental organizations, and local communities, noting that collaborative action is essential to addressing today’s environmental and development challenges.

Her remarks reinforced the growing international recognition that empowering local communities and strengthening inclusive partnerships are key elements in delivering sustainable and effective conservation outcomes worldwide.