Following the launch of the Biodiversity Mainstreaming Platform in 2017, FAO, together with Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), organized a Multi-stakeholder Dialogue on Biodiversity Mainstreaming across Agricultural Sectors. This informal meeting aimed to bring together ministers, experts and stakeholders across agriculture, forestry, fisheries and environmental sectors. Discussions aimed to take stock of current mainstreaming efforts and identify areas where collaborative action could develop integrated approaches for the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, and support the SDGs.

Working Group III, co-chaired by H.E. François Pythoud (Switzerland) and H.E. Godfrey C. Magwenzi (Zimbabwe), discussed the role of Biodiversity Mainstreaming Through Incentives, Investment and Voluntary Certification Schemes within the Platform.

Discussions suggested that the Platform could:

• Contribute to improvement of methods for valuing biodiversity and ES and removal of dis-incentives 
• Support countries to review and revise incentives schemes for sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in agricultural sectors
• Provide a neutral forum for the development for agricultural performance standards that may serve as basis for responsible private investment and voluntary standards
• Encourage responsible biodiversity sensitive investment in agriculture and food systems to reduce biodiversity loss and restore ES
• Facilitate dialogue, trust and transparency among all stakeholders making use of and impacting on biodiversity, and foster systematic policy change and inclusive value chains;
• Encourage investment in neutral and responsive extension services for producers;
• Carry out an inventory of existing certification schemes in different agricultural sectors and regions.

Recommendations from working group discussions (in particular, WG III Incentives, Investment and Voluntary Certification Schemes) support FAO’s Incentive for Ecosystem Services (IES) approach. In particular, to:

• Contribute to improvement of methods for valuing biodiversity and ecosystem services and removal of dis-incentives
• Support countries to review and revise incentives schemes for sustainable use and conservation of biodiversity in agricultural sectors
• Provide a neutral forum for the development of agricultural performance standards that may serve as basis for responsible private investment and voluntary standards
• Encourage responsible biodiversity sensitive investment in agriculture and food systems to reduce biodiversity loss and restore ecosystem services
• Facilitate dialogue, trust and transparency among all stakeholders making use of and impacting on biodiversity, and foster systematic policy change and inclusive value chains;
• Encourage investment in neutral and responsive extension services for producers;
• Carry out an inventory of existing certification schemes in different agricultural sectors and regions.

These were discussed during COAG 26, recommending that:

1. FAO develop a strategy for FAO on biodiversity mainstreaming across agricultural sectors, for consideration at COAG 27
2. FAO to organize regional consultations on this draft strategy
3. FAO to continue to act as Biodiversity Mainstreaming Platform
4. Invite countries to mainstream biodiversity across their agricultural sectors

Further information can be found in the FAO publication: Biodiversity for Sustainable Agriculture