FAO: biodiversity conservation and resiliency linked

According to estimates, in Europe and Central Asia, 42 percent of monitored terrestrial animal and plant species have declined in population in the past decade. It is now more important than ever before to conserve and use biodiversity sustainably, and to reduce the pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. Action is needed to ensure the health of people and of the planet health and to protect the livelihoods of rural and indigenous populations in Europe and Central Asia, most of whom depend directly or indirectly on the agricultural sector and play a fundamental role in protecting global biodiversity.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), biodiversity in Europe and Central Asia is mainly threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, changes in land use, and unsustainable agricultural activities. Intensive agricultural practices undermine biodiversity and genetic resources, and often break functioning agroecosystems by focusing on high-yield production. Following the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened relevant actors today to discuss how to further mainstream biodiversity into the food and agriculture sectors in Europe and Central Asia. At this two-day virtual event, countries will have the chance to discuss ways to catalyze national action supporting biodiversity key to build resilient agrifood systems.

“To put it simply: biodiversity is essential to food and agriculture and providing healthy and nutritious food to everyone is our utmost priority,” said Tania Santivanez, FAO agricultural officer.

At this workshop, countries can renew their commitments to address issues and facilitate action on biodiversity for food and agriculture through updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans as key instruments to halt and reverse biodiversity loss emphasized Santivanez.

Participants will learn about the new global biodiversity framework targets and national commitments that can contribute to the resilience of agrifood systems through improved biodiversity. Also, they will have the chance to share their knowledge and good practices on tools for integrating biodiversity into the updated national biodiversity strategies and action plans. The Regional Action Plan on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors in the Europe and Central Asia region for 2022–2023 will also be discussed and reviewed, with the intention to shape future priorities and actions for the 2024–2025 period.

Through its regional initiative on improving sustainable natural resource management and biodiversity, FAO has been advocating and actively working on upscaling biodiversity and nature-positive production in Europe and Central Asia. These activities contribute to achieving the 2030 Agenda.

“Climate change and biodiversity losses are strongly interlinked. Thus, the restoration, conservation, and sustainable use of biological diversity are critical to addressing global and local environmental challenges, building our resilience to multiple shocks, and enhancing the achievement of Sustainable Development Goals,” highlighted Anna Kanshieva FAO biodiversity and science and innovation specialist.

21 June 2023, Budapest, Hungary