Country representatives will convene for the 71st GEF Council in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, from May 31 to June 3, 2026, alongside the Eighth GEF Assembly.

The Council is the Global Environment Facility’s governing body. It comprises 32 members representing constituencies of member countries and meets twice annually to oversee the organization’s direction and operations.

Independent Evaluation Office (IEO) working documents are a key input to the Council’s deliberations. Prepared independently, they present evaluative findings on the performance and results of GEF-supported activities, as well as institutional performance. They provide an independent evidence base for accountability in Council review and decision-making on policies, programs, and the work program.