KIGALI, June 26 (Xinhua) -- A regional dialogue on biodiversity finance for Africa and the Arab states opened in the Rwandan capital of Kigali on Wednesday to discuss ways to fill the biodiversity financing gap.

The three-day meeting, hosted by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) in partnership with the Rwandan government, brings together biodiversity finance experts and government representatives from over 50 countries across Africa and the Arab states to explore how national biodiversity finance plans are being transformed into practical solutions.

Delegates will explore innovative strategies for biodiversity finance by connecting public policy reform with financial instruments and strengthening collaboration with the private sector, according to the Rwanda Environment Management Authority (REMA).

"We have the policies. We have the political will. But the resources remain limited, fragmented, and heavily donor-dependent. This is what brings us together, a shared commitment to closing the biodiversity gap," Juliet Kabera, director general of REMA, said in her opening remarks.

Fatmata Sesay, resident representative of the UNDP in Rwanda, said Rwanda is pioneering a new model of biodiversity finance through digital innovation. She cited IremboPay, a platform that digitizes the issuance and tracking of environmental fines, which are then reinvested into the country's conservation initiatives.

Africa and the Arab states are home to some of the world's most important ecosystems. However, despite their natural wealth, these regions face serious financing gaps, officials said.

Running from June 25 to 27, the meeting will identify biodiversity finance solutions that can be adapted to the national context and set next steps for scaling up, organizers said.

Valentine Uwamariya, Rwanda's minister of environment, said biodiversity requires sustained financing because it supports key economic sectors, including agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism, which generate significant income and employment. Enditem