FAO Highlights Agrifood Systems’ Role in Advancing Global Biodiversity Goals

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) emphasized the essential role of agrifood systems in achieving global biodiversity goals during the 2024 UN Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP16) in Cali, Colombia. Under the theme Peace with Nature, the event addressed the interconnected challenges of biodiversity loss, climate change, and sustainable development, attracting record-breaking attendance with nearly 8,000 daily participants in the negotiation zone and over 527,000 visitors to the civil society-focused Green Zone.

FAO, led by Director of Cabinet Godfrey Magwenzi, highlighted the need for agrifood system transformation to support the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The organization launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative to align National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans with KMGBF targets, focusing on policy coherence, institutional capacity, financial investments, and knowledge-sharing. FAO also introduced key publications on sustainable agriculture and biodiversity integration.

The organization co-organized thematic events, including Food Day and Restoration Day, to explore solutions for biodiversity-linked agrifood systems and ecosystem restoration. FAO celebrated Colombia’s ratification of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources and supported Indigenous-led biodiversity initiatives in Costa Rica and Peru. A significant outcome was the establishment of the Cali Fund to address biodiversity financing gaps, though some decisions, such as the KMGBF monitoring framework, were deferred due to quorum issues.

FAO’s participation reaffirmed its commitment to sustainable agrifood systems and biodiversity, setting the stage for continued efforts at upcoming global conferences on climate change and desertification.