CAF at the Ocean Week 2025

The protection of the oceans and the promotion of a regenerative blue economy have been consolidated as strategic pillars for CAF -development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean- on its path towards a green and blue agenda. From its participation in the UN Ocean Conferences in 2017 and 2022, to its recent integration into the executive committee of the Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF), CAF has demonstrated a firm commitment to marine and coastal sustainability in the region.

In the framework of the Third UN Ocean Conference (UNOC3) and the BEFF 2025 in Monaco, CAF will present new commitments, strategic partnerships and innovative financial tools to accelerate the transition to a development model that harmonizes economic growth, biodiversity conservation and climate resilience. This web special brings together the milestones, proposals and visions that position CAF as a key player in global ocean governance.

CAF to invest USD 2.5 billion to boost the blue economy in Latin America and the Caribbean

The investment seeks to boost the sustainable blue economy and preserve the region's oceans. This funding doubles our commitment made at the 2022 Lisbon Conference, which has already been achieved, and makes us the leading multilateral agency in blue finance.

Our new oceans strategy is based on four main pillars:

Funding
Blue diplomacy
Education and capacity building
Local value generation

CAF Issues Landmark EUR 100 Million Blue Bond with UNDP as Technical Coordinator

We successfully launched our first-ever Blue Bond, raising EUR 100 million to support sustainable and climate-resilient coastal development across Latin America and the Caribbean. The 5-year Blue LAC Bond, due June 11, 2030, carries a 2.975% annual coupon and was fully subscribed by BNP Paribas Cardif.

This milestone transaction was developed in collaboration with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), which served as Technical Advisor — leveraging its expertise in the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and thematic debt to enhance strategic partnerships with Multilateral Development Banks (MDB). The bond was structured and arranged solely by BNP Paribas.

CAF Action in Oceans

We seek to promote the sustainable blue economy, with an emphasis on marine and coastal ecosystem restoration, blue carbon, renewable marine energy, and sustainable fisheries and aquaculture.

We currently exceeded our goal of mobilizing USD 1.25 billion between 2022 and 2025 for sustainable blue economy projects, reaching a total of USD 1.32 billion. This achievement highlights CAF's strong commitment to ocean protection and sustainable development in the region.

What are our main areas of action

+ Marine Protected Areas (MPA)
+ Eradication of invasive species and translocation of species
+ Coral restoration
+ Sargassum management
+ Sanitation and waste management
+ Flood prevention
+ Sustainability of economic activity

In the last 3 years:

+ We have allocated USD $1.32 billion in 17 credit operations and 18 technical cooperations with sustainable blue economy and marine and coastal zone protection components.

+ USD 90 million in Green Funds to promote the blue economy and control invasive species, and an additional USD 25.7 million for mangrove restoration and sargassum management.

+ Benefiting 16 countries

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Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) 2025

The Blue Economy and Finance Forum (BEFF) takes place in Monaco this June 7-8 and brings together world leaders to advance sustainable investment and innovation for the health of the oceans and the economy. CAF, as a key player, seeks to strengthen the visibility of Latin America and the Caribbean in this global space, establishing strategic alliances and generating innovative financing opportunities for the sustainable management of marine ecosystems. How? Through the promotion of technological innovation, the strengthening of strategic alliances and the integration of the blue economy in public policies. In this sense, CAF reaffirms its commitment as the green and blue bank, inspiring other global actors towards a sustainable ocean economy.

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UN Ocean Conference 2025

CAF, development bank of Latin America and the Caribbean, is participating in the UN Conference on Oceans 2025, which takes place June 9-13 in Nice. This event aims to promote urgent actions to conserve and sustainably use the oceans, seas and marine resources, in line with the fulfillment of Sustainable Development Goal 14. Under the slogan “Accelerate action and mobilize all actors to conserve and sustainably use the oceans” this edition, jointly organized by France and Costa Rica, is taking place in Nice. From there, CAF reaffirms its commitment to marine sustainability and blue development, strengthening its role as a regional driver in the protection of marine-coastal ecosystems, in the hope of generating a more balanced and healthy future for the oceans and the communities that depend on them.

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