Ministerial Lunch: Engaging Agrifood Sectors in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework

During this event, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative: Supporting countries in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for the agrifood sectors, which aims to guide countries to achieve global goals and targets under the GBF through biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices. 

Maria Helena Semedo, former Deputy Director-General, FAO, moderated the event.

In opening remarks, Mauricio Cabrera Leal, Vice Minister of the Environment, Colombia, noted that the alignment of agricultural policies with the goals of the GBF is vital to national and global objectives. He said that fostering partnerships with the private sector, investments, and financial incentives can be drivers to promote sustainable agricultural practices. 

Godfrey Magwenzi, FAO, reflected on how FAO can support countries to implement GBF targets related to agrifood sectors. He said FAO provides technical and financial support to countries in the development and implementation of NBSAPs and welcomed the launch of the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative. 

Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary, CBD, expressed hope that more agricultural ministers attend the next CBD COP as it is important to engage them in biodiversity discussions. She said that in order to have food security, integration with biodiversity needs to be strengthened through system transformation, where the agrifood system works together with nature. 

Marcel Beukeboom, Permanent Representative of the Netherlands to FAO, launched The Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative: Supporting countries in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for the agrifood sectors. He presented the initiative as a key mechanism for accelerating biodiversity in the agrifood sector and for providing targeted support for countries to meet their GBF commitments. He identified four key outputs: an enabling environment for NBSAP implementation; evidence-based implementation; access to finance; and building knowledge. 

Ministers and leaders saw a FAO video on work supporting biodiversity mainstreaming and the role of The Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative in ensuring that agrifood systems contribute to halting and reversing biodiversity loss. Many ministers and leaders expressed support and appreciation for the Initiative and thanked FAO for their partnership. 

Madagascar, Cabo Verde, Zimbabwe, and the EU called for an integrated approach for GBF goals and targets. Costa Rica shared that they have adopted a sustainable landscape approach in addressing agricultural and biodiversity challenges. 

Nigeria highlighted the need to transform the food system to be more sustainable, regenerative, nature positive, resilient, inclusive, and pollution free. The Netherlands highlighted their decades of innovation in agriculture and the importance of a whole-of-society approach. 

Lao People’s Democratic Republic said that community participation is important and countries like theirs need support to properly integrate, which should begin at the start of the planning process. 

Japan called for strengthening the network of agriculture and environment stakeholders in each country. He also highlighted the Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems in integrating biodiversity in the agriculture sector. 

Egypt said private sector investment to support small farmers with implementation on the ground is important to align with GBF targets.

Burkina Faso said the use of pesticides is an important challenge in agriculture and described that his country has launched a programme requiring duly-registered pesticides that are respectful of the environment.

Ecuador spoke about the importance of national policies working together with landowners to find agriculture and biodiversity solutions.  

CGIAR described efforts to bring together different stakeholders to examine local and national initiatives and the nexus between food, biodiversity, and climate. 

A representative from Quebec said for all actors to be a part of the solution, scientific terms should be translated into words that all stakeholders can understand. 

Magwenzi thanked the delegates and leaders for their participation, support, and commitment to the Agrifood NBSAPs Support Initiative. He said the GBF provides a clear roadmap for achieving the ambitious biodiversity goals. Stating that Initiative will play a key role in integrating biodiversity in agrifood systems, he encouraged all countries to join.

In closing remarks, Martha Viviana Carvajalino Villegas, Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Colombia, thanked FAO for the Initiative. She said a sustainable and resilient world involves strengthening the agrifood sector to fight against poverty, hunger, and malnutrition. She also said innovation and technical assistance will be needed, and that support from the public and world is vital. She concluded by saying that collective action is urgently needed toward a just and sustainable model of life. 

Organizers: 
FAO, COP16 Presidency

Contacts: 
Damaris Castillo Romero, FAO Damaris.CastilloRomero@fao.org

For more information:
https://www.cbd.int/conferences/2024/cop-16-hls;
https://acortar.link/FAO_Agri-NBSAp