Biodiversity: a building block for healthier and more resilient food systems

SIDE EVENT: UN Convention on Biological Diversity 3OEWG/SBSTTA-24/SBI3

Join us online: Register

Or in person: International Conference Centre, Salle 14, Level D (only for delegates registered to the 3OEWG/SBSTTA-24/SBI3 of UNCBD)

Global food production today comes at the expense of nature and climate, and people. Our food systems are the biggest driver of biodiversity loss, deforestation, and freshwater withdrawal, and one of the main sources of greenhouse gas emissions. Even with these impacts, we are failing to feed the world. In 2020, there were as many as 811 million people going hungry. 

Preserving the planet while providing sufficient, safe, affordable, accessible, and nutritious food for all, is our biggest challenge ahead. We will not succeed in reversing biodiversity loss if we don’t change the way our food systems operate, from production to consumption. The Geneva meetings offer a unique opportunity to discuss and join forces to increase the role of food in the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF).

This side event will explore the systemic linkages between biodiversity, food and agriculture, nutrition, health and the environment, and present proposals for revising Targets 10, 13 and 16 to better include food into the new GBF. Countries from different regions will be invited to share successful experiences on sustainable use and conservation of food and agricultural biodiversity, including how multi-sectoral approaches, integrated policies and nature-based solutions can accelerate progress towards the achievement of these goals.

Speakers (current lineup)

  • Fabrice DeClerck, EAT (Moderator)
  • Joao Campari, WWF
  • Francois Pythoud, Office of Agriculture, Switzerland
  • Kent Nandozie, International Plant Treaty
  • Louise Baker, UNCCD
  • Roberto Azofeita, Costa Rica
  • Justify Shava, SPGRC Zambia 
  • Dao The Anh, MARD Vietnam
  • Carolina Navarrete, Alliance/CGIAR

The event is hosted by the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT/CGIAR, WWF, the Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock of Costa Rica, the Federal Office for Agriculture of Switzerland, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) and the One Planet Network Sustainable Food Systems Programme.