Madagascar – National Biodiversity Platform (PNB)
How the platform started
Madagascar’s National Biodiversity Platform builds on priorities identified in the country’s National Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan (NBSAP) 2016–2025, which called for a permanent, multi-sector coordination mechanism for biodiversity. With support from the CABES project, Madagascar conducted a national landscape review of existing coordination platforms and initiatives. The assessment concluded that a new National Biodiversity Platform was needed to connect and add value to existing structures rather than replace them.
The findings were shared widely during a national workshop in April 2024, held alongside the launch of the NBSAP update process, helping build strong ownership across government, civil society, researchers, development partners and local communities.
Where things stand now
Madagascar recognizes the importance of establishing a National Platform for Biodiversity. The actions required to set up this platform have been initiated, and the 23 working groups that form the basis of this platform have been mobilized to update the NBSAP Madagascar and the preparation of the 7th national report for biodiversity.
Madagascar’s National Biodiversity Platform is not yet fully formalised through a legal instrument but its technical structure has been involved in different ways.
The platform is structured across three levels:
- a strategic level for high-level biodiversity decisions.
- a coordination level responsible for platform management and implementation; and
- 23 thematic working groups that carry out operational activities aligned with national priorities and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Formalisation and legal status
The platform is currently operational but not yet legally institutionalised. Formalisation through a regulatory instrument is planned as a next step, building on demonstrated results and experience.
Project - at a glance
- Status: Operational; legal formalisation in progress
- Year initiated: 2024
- Lead institution: Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development
National Biodiversity Platform Annual Action Plans
Key successes and achievements
Despite the fact that the platform has not yet been legally formalized, it played a central role in updating Madagascar’s NBSAP (2026–2030). The secretariat executive and the twenty-three thematic working groups—aligned with Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework targets—developed national objectives, actions and national indicators on biodiversity and ecosystem services. The updated NBSAP was validated in 16 December 2025 and was adopted by the Council of Government in February 2026.
Those structures of the platform have also been involved in the preparation of the 7th National Report for biodiversity, which has been technically validated in 17 February 2026.
Key partnership and support
Key partners supporting the platform include:
- GBF/GIZ, supporting development of the platform operational guide and potential future meetings;
- GBFF / IUCN, supporting integration of biodiversity information systems into national planning;
- WWF, with ongoing discussions to support stakeholder engagement and platform convening.
- NBSAP Accelerator Partnership, with ongoing discussion to support the formalization and the implementation of the activities of the platform
Latest updates
Workshops, publications, and field activities.
Workshop to officially launch the update of Madagascar’s National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and presentation of the country’s national biodiversity platform
Madagascar’s Ministry of the Environment and Sustainable Development hosted a national workshop in Antananarivo, bringing together various stakeholders from government, civil society, NGOs, and Indigenous Peoples and local communities.
