WASHINGTON, Aug. 6, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- The Global Environment Facility (GEF) Council today announced the selection of Diego Mesa Puyo as the family of funds' next CEO and Chairperson. Mesa Puyo, an international leader in energy policy, economic development, and sustainability, and former Minister of Energy and Mines from Colombia, will serve an initial term of four years, aligned with the GEF-9 funding period and the last sprint towards critical 2030 environmental goals.
Before his selection as the GEF's next CEO and Chairperson, Mesa Puyo served as Deputy Chief of the Climate Policy Division of the International Monetary Fund. As Colombia's Minister of Energy and Mines in the 2018-2022 administration, he led one of Latin America's most ambitious energy transition agendas, launching market reforms that mobilized more than $3 billion in private investment and accelerated the deployment of variable renewable energy from near-zero levels to one of the fastest-growing clean energy markets in the region. He also played a central role in advancing energy transition and climate action legislation, embedding sustainability objectives in economic and development policy.
"I am deeply honored to serve as the next CEO and Chairperson of the Global Environment Facility at this pivotal moment for the international community," Mesa Puyo said. "Countries need trusted partners that can help turn ambition into action. Building on the GEF's remarkable legacy, I look forward to working with the Secretariat, member countries, and partners around the world to achieve environmental and development goals together by integrating solutions, catalyzing investment, and delivering measurable results for people and planet."
The GEF is the world's largest public funder for the environment and serves international conventions on biodiversity, climate change, and pollution. Donor countries have pledged an initial $3.9 billion for an ambitious ninth replenishment of the GEF Trust Fund, reflecting a strong commitment to protect and restore nature through multilateral cooperation.
The Global Environment Facility is the world's family of funds for the environment. As the financial mechanism for six multilateral conventions, it supports countries' efforts to tackle the root causes of environmental degradation — advancing global goals for nature, climate, and pollution. Over the past three decades, the GEF has been the largest public funder for the environment and provided more than $27 billion in financing, primarily as grants, and mobilized another $155 billion for country-driven priority projects.
Read the full press release here in English, Spanish, and French.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Diego Mesa Puyo selected as next GEF CEO and Chairperson
DUBAI, UAE, Aug. 19, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- A study has estimated the Social Return on Investment (SROI) of 80 Dubai Police community initiatives at AED 647.9 million ($176.4 million), reflecting the wider social, economic and security value created for 3.8 million beneficiaries between 2017 and 2026.
Conducted by the Future Foresight Centre, the study examined initiatives across education, health, awareness and sport and measured their contribution to security, economic and social outcomes, including public safety, crime prevention, trust in police and quality of life.
The study found that economic and community contributions accounted for AED 542.7 million ($147.8 million) of the total SROI. Initiatives supporting quality of life generated AED 31.7 million ($8.6 million), while AED 62.8 million ($17.1 million) was attributed to initiatives contributing to public trust. A further AED 5 million ($1.36 million) was linked to community wellbeing, while AED 5.7 million ($1.55 million) came from initiatives promoting accessibility and opportunities for participation across society.
The research also examined statistical relationships between community initiatives and key security and social indicators. It found positive correlations of 0.44 with the Happiness Index, 0.45 with the Happiness, Security and Awareness Index, and 0.44 with enhanced perceptions of safety.
The analysis also identified inverse relationships with crime related indicators. Increased implementation of community initiatives coincided with lower levels of concerning crimes, recording a negative correlation of 0.41. The study also found a negative 0.796 correlation between customer happiness and crime rates.
Lieutenant General Abdulla Khalifa Al Marri, Commander-in-Chief of Dubai Police, said the results reflect the effectiveness of developing sustainable community initiatives around society's needs, while strengthening community partnerships and supporting quality of life. He described community initiatives as an important pillar of sustainable security, contributing to trust in police, perceptions of safety and crime prevention.
Among the initiatives assessed, 'Positive Spirit' initiative reached two million people, while Esaad benefited more than 1.15 million. Ride with Dubai Police reached 40,000 people, while activities associated with the UAE SWAT Challenge benefited 51,000.
The study also found that 7,189 volunteers contributed 249,916 hours between 2017 and 2026, generating estimated financial savings of AED 21.7 million ($5.9 million).
The findings show how sustained community engagement can translate into measurable social and economic value while supporting preventive security, stronger public trust, improved quality of life and greater social stability.
** This press release is distributed by PR Newswire through automated distribution system, for which the client assumes full responsibility. **
Dubai Police Initiatives Drive $176.4 Million in Social Value and Gains in Safety, Wellbeing and the Economy, Study Reveals
