The World Bank Confirmed as Trustee and Interim Host of the Tropical Forest Forever Facility

The institution will provide a robust administrative structure, ensuring that the TFFF operates with high standards of governance

The World Bank today officially confirmed that it will serve as Trustee and Interim Host of the Secretariat for the Tropical Forest Forever Facility (TFFF) - a new, landmark global initiative designed to secure and sustain the world’s tropical forests for generations to come.

As trustee, the World Bank will transfer money to tropical forest countries, under the directives and guidelines aproved by the TFFF board. As secretariat, it will provide the Facility with a robust administrative backbone, including fiduciary oversight and transparency reporting, ensuring the TFFF operates with the highest standards of governance, accountability, and predictability.

This arrangement will enable the TFFF to move forward confidently and efficiently toward its mission: to mobilize and sustain unprecedented levels of financing for the protection, restoration, and long-term stewardship of tropical forests worldwide.

“The World Bank’s decision today transforms the Tropical Forest Forever Fund (TFFF) from an idea into a fully operational reality,” said Fernando Haddad, the Brazilian Minister of Finance. “This milestone reflects the World Bank’s commitment — and the personal leadership of President Ajay Banga, whom I would like to acknowledge. Through a rigorous and transparent technical process, the Bank has provided the credibility and structure needed to make this breakthrough possible. With this foundation in place, the TFFF is now ready for countries to follow Brazil’s lead by making their own pledges, turning this initiative into the most innovative and effective investment mechanism for forest protection in the history of climate finance.”

The Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Marina Silva, noted, “We estimate that the world needs to invest around US$282 billion per year to protect nature, but today we have only a quarter of that amount. To change this reality, we need bold and collaborative solutions. The TFFF is one of those solutions.” “Led by Brazil, together with ten partner countries, it can benefit more than 70 tropical nations. We are not talking about donations, but about investing in the planet’s future. The TFFF seeks to ensure continuous resources to conserve our ecosystems and value the services they provide, recognizing the essential role of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities. Once operational, it could generate around US$4 billion per year — nearly three times the current volume of international forest financing. The World Bank’s announcement strengthens this collective and innovative path, which places nature at the center of the global agenda.”​​

Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira stated that, “Brazil welcomed the decision of the World Bank’s Executive Board, which creates the institutional foundation for the initiative and enables its launch during the Belém Climate Summit.” The Minister emphasized that the TFFF is an innovative proposal from the Global South and reflects the consolidation of an increasingly multipolar international order. “President Lula announced that Brazil will invest US$1 billion in the TFFF. We hope that, in Belém, other countries will also commit to investing, paving the way for the start of operations of this transformative mechanism,” he declared. Vieira highlighted that the TFFF “is proof that multilateralism can be renewed and offer concrete and transformative solutions to the challenges of our time.” He also added that the Fund’s governance will be exercised by its own Executive Board, composed of 18 countries, with equal representation between tropical forest countries and investor countries.

The Minister of Indigenous Peoples, Sonia Guajajara, said: “The World Bank was an important and decisive partner in the development of the direct financing mechanism for Indigenous peoples. Its experience in working with organizations and its commitment to enabling projects with Indigenous leadership will be fundamental for us to move forward with this new and important instrument.”

“The TFFF received strong support from the Board, Brazil was recognized for its leadership in the project and applauded by member countries for advancing an ambitious, innovative initiative that could decisively change the way we protect forests around the world,” says Marcos Vinicius Chiliatto, Executive Director representing Brazil at the World Bank. “Being a host entity for the TFFF is fully aligned with the World Bank’s mission to end poverty on a livable planet. Healthy tropical forests are essential to achieving this goal.”

The Facility, designed to become the largest-ever global forest fund, aims to ensure continuous and performance-based financing to countries and communities that successfully conserve tropical forests, recognizing their essential role in regulating the climate, preserving biodiversity, and supporting sustainable development.

As interim host of the Secretariat, the World Bank will also support the Facility’s initial operations, coordination, and reporting functions while a permanent institutional home is established. The governance structure of the TFFF will include a Board of Directors, with participation from both tropical forest countries and investor countries. To ensure inclusive discussions, the creation of an advisory council of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities, as well as a technical and scientific panel, is also foreseen.

The Tropical Forest Forever Facility marks a bold step toward lasting, scalable financing for forest conservation. It unites governments, investors, and communities in a shared commitment to safeguard tropical ecosystems forever.