Biodiversity provides food, water, clean air, and livelihoods, supporting more than half of the global gross domestic product. But nature is in crisis, with threats like overexploitation and land and sea use change pushing species and ecosystems to the brink. USAID plays a critical role in addressing this global crisis, as do its local community, government, civil society, and private sector partners around the world. 

In FY 2023, USAID invested in conserving biodiversity and forests, fighting nature crimes, and supporting sustainable fisheries in approximately 60 countries. The Agency also began updating its Biodiversity Policy of 2014 to reflect the current global context for biodiversity conservation and calls for transformative change.

With FY 2023 funds, the Agency provided $375.4 million to international biodiversity programs, with roughly 55 percent of these funds going to Tier One countries and regions. USAID invested $78.1 million of FY 2023 funding in combating wildlife trafficking. These funds help prevent and reduce poaching and the illegal trade of terrestrial, freshwater, and marine species. The Agency also invested $45.3 million in great ape conservation and supporting critical chimpanzee, gorilla, and orangutan habitats. USAID’s forestry investments, inclusive of relevant biodiversity and sustainable landscapes funds, totaled $318.5 million, with $315.6 million focused on tropical forests.