Global Search Begins for 2026 MIDORI Prize Biodiversity Champions

TOKYO & MONTREAL – January 16, 2026

The search is on for the world’s next great biodiversity heroes. The AEON Environmental Foundation and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) have officially opened the nomination period for the prestigious 2026 MIDORI Prize for Biodiversity. From February 2 to March 31, 2026, members of the public are invited to nominate individuals whose outstanding work is making a tangible difference in protecting the planet’s fragile ecosystems. Two winners will each be awarded a prize of 100,000 US dollars, providing significant support to further their vital contributions.

A Prize for a Pivotal Moment in Conservation

The announcement comes at a critical juncture for global environmental efforts. The award ceremony, scheduled for August 27, 2026, in Tokyo, is timed to build momentum for the 17th Conference of the Parties (COP 17) to the CBD, which will convene in Yerevan, Armenia, later that year. Under the theme “Taking action for Nature,” COP 17 will mark the first global review of progress on the landmark Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Adopted in December 2022, the KMGBF is the world’s ambitious blueprint to halt and reverse biodiversity loss. It sets out 23 action-oriented targets to be achieved by 2030, aiming to put nature on a path to recovery. These targets range from conserving at least 30% of the planet's lands and waters to reducing pollution and reforming harmful subsidies. The review at COP 17 will be a crucial stocktake, assessing whether the global community is on track to meet these urgent goals. The MIDORI Prize serves to highlight the individual leadership and innovation essential for turning these global commitments into local realities.

Uniting Science, Policy, and On-the-Ground Action

Reflecting the complexity of the biodiversity crisis, the MIDORI Prize specifically recognizes contributions across three distinct but interconnected categories: Implementation, Science & Research, and Policy & Enlightenment. This structure champions the "whole-of-society" approach embedded within the KMGBF, acknowledging that success requires collaboration across all sectors.

Past winners exemplify this holistic vision. In the realm of Implementation, figures like Wirsiy Emmanuel Binyuy of Cameroon have been honored for creating tangible, community-led solutions. His work with apiculture projects not only provided sustainable income for women but also helped reduce forest fires and raise environmental awareness. Similarly, Vera Voronova of Kazakhstan was recognized in 2024 for her direct impact on restoring endangered species and protecting critical migration corridors in Central Asia.

The Science & Research category celebrates pioneers like Canada’s Dr. Paul Hebert, whose development of DNA barcoding revolutionized the way scientists can identify species and monitor biodiversity on a global scale. This foundational research provides the data and tools necessary for effective conservation planning and policy-making.

In Policy & Enlightenment, the prize has recognized advocates like Melina Sakiyama of Brazil, a co-founder of the Global Youth Biodiversity Network (GYBN). Her efforts have been instrumental in mobilizing young people across 145 countries, ensuring their voices are heard in international biodiversity negotiations and policy development. These past laureates demonstrate that progress depends on a dynamic interplay between scientific discovery, grassroots action, and influential policy advocacy.

The Philanthropic Force Behind the Prize

The driving force behind the prize, the AEON Environmental Foundation, stands as a prominent example of Japanese corporate philanthropy shaping the global environmental agenda. Established in 1990 as part of the larger AEON Group, the foundation has a long history of environmental stewardship that extends far beyond this prestigious award.

One of its flagship initiatives is the "AEON Hometown Forest Program," a global tree-planting effort that has planted over 12.7 million trees since 1991. With a focus on planting native species with the help of local volunteers, the program aims to restore local ecosystems, conserve biodiversity, and contribute to carbon sequestration. The foundation also provides significant financial support through its Environmental Grant Program, which in 2024 alone distributed over 84 million yen to 110 nature conservation projects led by non-profit organizations. By co-organizing the MIDORI Prize with the CBD Secretariat, the foundation leverages its resources to amplify the impact of individual leaders and align corporate action with international environmental governance.

Addressing a Planet in Peril

The call for nominations arrives as scientists warn of accelerating threats to global biodiversity. Beyond the well-documented drivers of habitat loss and climate change, researchers have identified emerging challenges that will shape conservation in the next decade. These include the widespread decline of soil moisture in key agricultural regions, the phenomenon of "ocean darkening" that threatens marine food webs, and the potential impacts of deep-sea mining.

At the same time, new opportunities are arising. Advances in artificial intelligence offer powerful new tools for monitoring ecosystems, while innovative financial mechanisms are being proposed to reward countries for protecting vital tropical forests. The individuals The MIDORI Prize seeks to honor are often at the forefront of tackling these complex challenges and harnessing novel solutions. Their work, whether in a remote village, a high-tech laboratory, or the halls of international policy, is essential for navigating these pressures and steering humanity toward the KMGBF's vision of "living in harmony with nature."

The nomination process is open to all individuals contributing to biodiversity conservation. The public is encouraged to visit the AEON Environmental Foundation's website to submit nominations for those whose dedication and achievements deserve global recognition. The announcement of the two winners later this year will not only celebrate their past successes but also empower their future efforts, adding crucial momentum to the global push to secure a nature-positive world by 2030.