The Global Environment Facility was established by the World Bank, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Environmental Programme (UNEP) in 1990. It operates as the Climate Change (UNFCCC) and Biodiversity (UNCBD) Conventions' financial mechanism. The GEF was created to provide grants and concessional funds to developing countries to finance incremental costs for programmes, projects, and activities to protect the world's environment. Anti-desertification projects relevant to the focal areas of climate change, biodiversity, ozone depletion, and international waters may be eligible for funding.  The GEF is expected to become a financial mechanism of the UNCCD, once the operational modalities are approved by the GEF Council and these decisions by the COP in 2003.

the multi-billion-dollar GEF was established by the World Bank, UNDP and UNEP in 1990. It operates the Convention's 'financial mechanism' on an interim basis and funds developing-country projects that have global biodiversity benefits. [CUB

an independent financial organization that provides grants to developing countries for projects that benefit the global environment and promote sustainable livelihoods in local communities. GEF funds are contributed by donor countries. GEF grants support projects related to biodiversity, climate change, international waters, land degradation, the ozone layer, and persistent organic pollutants