Mesa Puyo steps into the role with a mandate to bridge the gap between economic development and environmental preservation. Having previously served as Deputy Chief of the Climate Policy Division at the International Monetary Fund and as Colombia’s Minister of Energy and Mines, he brings a background in mobilizing private capital for sustainable transitions. He succeeds Claude Gascon, who served as interim leader and will return to his position as Director of Strategy and Operations.

The organization’s current strategic focus centers on the 2030 environmental targets. Under the new leadership, the GEF intends to scale blended finance models and expand support for Least Developed Countries and Small Island Developing States. Mesa Puyo emphasized that the institution must act as a connector for governments and investors to ensure long-term environmental outcomes. His agenda also prioritizes deepening engagement with Indigenous Peoples and local communities to strengthen the effectiveness of global conservation efforts.