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Asia Charts a New Path for Nature: Digital Innovation and Finance at the Forefront
Hosted by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), Agence Française de Développement (AFD) and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the event convened 50 selected participants to explore how emerging digital solutions and innovative finance models can accelerate nature-positive outcomes across the region. With Asia’s ecosystems facing unprecedented strain, and biodiversity loss threatening food security, climate resilience, and sustainable development, the need for transformative solutions was a central theme throughout the day.
The event coincided with the UN International Day for Biological Diversity. Its theme and focus aligned with World Wildlife Day 2025, which calls for bold new approaches under the banner “Wildlife Conservation Finance: Investing in People and Planet.” The Bangkok dialogue offered a regional lens on this global imperative — highlighting practical ways to finance biodiversity gains through cross-sector innovation.
In opening remarks, H.E. Jean-Claude Poimboeuf, Ambassador of France to Thailand, set the tone by urging participants to view digital technology and finance not as luxuries, but as essentials in the fight against biodiversity loss. “The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework provides a clear roadmap, emphasizing the role of digital technologies and the urgent need for increased financing,” said Ambassador Poimboeuf. “Today's discussions directly address these targets, including the ambitious goal of protecting 30% of land and sea areas by 2030, while ensuring the equitable involvement of Indigenous Peoples and local communities."
“We believe that by working together, by embracing innovation, and by mobilizing the necessary financial resources, we can indeed achieve a nature-positive future for Asia,” he concluded.
“Advances in artificial intelligence are rapidly accelerating nature-related data collection, analysis and transparency,” added Gerd Trogemann, Manager of the Global Policy Network at UNDP Asia and the Pacific. “But work on the region’s digital infrastructure is also required to ensure public access to data and the sovereignty of data for Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities.”
Through a video message, Ivonne Higuero, the Secretary General of the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES) said, “The work of CITES is founded in a simple truth: investing in wildlife is not an aspiration, it is a necessity.”
She went on to say, “Indigenous Peoples and local communities are the custodians of many of the world’s biodiversity hotspots. We must ensure they have access to technology, data, and its benefits.”
Throughout the morning, the discussions highlighted how new technologies like remote sensing, blockchain, and AI-driven biodiversity monitoring are already transforming conservation efforts. Participants heard success stories of digital solutions strengthening supply chain transparency, restoring degraded ecosystems, and building trust in environmental finance markets. Speakers also noted that while innovation offers huge promise, inclusive governance and the meaningful participation of Indigenous Peoples and local communities must remain at the heart of all efforts.
The event explored the market potential of blended finance models, biodiversity credits, and green bonds. Still, many emphasized that unlocking private sector capital would require stronger regulatory frameworks and better data credibility. “We believe that finance is a powerful lever to unlock our powerful biodiversity goals and our sustainable goals in general,” said Matteo Marinelli, Sustainable Finance Lead for Asia Pacific, WWF. “The money is out there…but we need to work towards a meaningful shift to reroute some of that money to address our biodiversity and climate crises.”
Nathalie Whitaker of International Environmental Guardianship contributed, “Meaningful participation from our member perspective is the ability to co-create the market and to be involved as early as possible in identifying the trajectory and outcomes that we want to see from nature finance. This is an attempt to seek recognition of the resourcing contributions that frontline communities provide the market - our time, our lands, our traditional knowledges and knowledge systems - but also critically data.”
WWF highlighted that finance and investment are critical levers to drive the transition to a nature-positive, climate-resilient economy. Through its ‘greening finance, financing green’ approach, WWF is working to shift financial flows toward activities that regenerate, rather than deplete, ecosystems. This includes helping financial institutions account for environmental risk, supporting regulations aligned with climate and biodiversity goals, and mobilizing sustainable finance in key land and seascapes across Asia-Pacific. By bridging global frameworks and local action, WWF is helping unlock the scale of investment needed to meet climate and nature targets.
In the afternoon, attention turned to the financial sector’s critical role in building nature-positive economies. Drawing on the findings of a newly released AFD-commissioned study, experts outlined clear pathways to mobilize investment for conservation in Southeast Asia. There was a strong call for the integration of nature-related risks into mainstream financial decision-making, with participants emphasizing that banks, investors, and businesses must treat nature not as an externality but as a vital asset.
Despite mounting ecological risks, global investment in nature-based solutions remains far below what is needed. The UNEP State of Finance for Nature 2022 estimates current spending at US$154 billion per year, which is less than half of what is recommended. 83% of this spending comes from public sources, illustrating that relying solely on governments is insufficient. Private investment remains disproportionately low, at just US$26 billion annually, despite over US$87 trillion in global assets under management. A 2022 UN Climate Change High-Level Champions report projects that developing a net-zero, resilient, and nature-positive food system could generate up to US$4.5 trillion in new business opportunities by 2030. Investment models built around carbon credits, biodiversity markets, and ecosystem restoration are already attracting capital from investors seeking both environmental impact and competitive financial returns.
The day concluded with a showcase of emerging investment opportunities at the intersection of nature, technology, and sustainable development. Speakers highlighted examples such as predictive climate models supporting small-scale fishermen and agritech innovations enhancing farm productivity while protecting biodiversity. Across the board, there was strong agreement that the green and blue economies offer a powerful engine for future growth, but only if investments are aligned with sustainable, inclusive practices.
In the final session, participants committed to carrying forward the momentum from the day’s discussions. Concrete next steps were outlined, including building new cross-sector partnerships, mobilizing greater investment in digital conservation tools, and scaling community-led initiatives.
"We must seize the opportunities presented in the digital and finance space to strengthen our response to the biodiversity crisis,” said Sean Lees, UNDP’s Nature Pledge coordinator. “The outcomes of this inaugural event will be taken forward.”
Nature Positive in Asia closed with renewed energy and a clear sense of collective purpose: to embrace innovation, mobilize finance, and ensure that the future for nature — and humanity — remains bright
© WWF-Thailand
Participants and speakers at the Nature Positive in Asia Conference in Bangkok.