The two-day event, held from January 27-28, brought together representatives from the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (MAE), provincial offices, and technical departments to review the achievements that link global biodiversity targets with local action. 

FAO has welcomed the entry into force of the Agreement under the United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas beyond National Jurisdiction (BBNJ Agreement), and looks forward to contributing to its implementation.

The year opened with the resumed session of the Biodiversity COP at FAO Headquarters. Bringing together the biodiversity world at FAO HQ sent a clear signal that biodiversity goals cannot be met without transforming agrifood systems. This includes the vital work on the implementation of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework monitoring system that includes more than 20 indicators entrusted to FAO. 

The Global Environment Facility (GEF) has approved eight projects led by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) worth nearly $60 million designed to help seven countries improve their management of agricultural landscapes, promote climate-friendly and biodiversity-positive livestock production, and restore forest, coastal, and marine ecosystems.

This month's highlights include results of the Global Forest Resources Assessment, a flagship report on land degradation and policy responses across different landholding scales, and new guidance offering legislative options to protect pollinators and strengthen biodiversity-friendly governance across agrifood systems.

Representatives from Europe and Central Asia gathered for the Third Regional Dialogue on Biodiversity Mainstreaming Across Agricultural Sectors, organized by FAO. The event brought together government officials, researchers, technical experts, civil society organizations, farmers’ representatives, and youth and women’s groups to discuss how to strengthen policy coherence, institutional capacity and regional cooperation to better integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems.

We celebrate World Soil Day annually on 5 December to raise global awareness about the role soils play in agricultural development, ecosystem functions and food security.

Agrifood systems are crucial for the implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF), with over half of the 23 global targets directly depending on them. Achieving at least half of these targets by 2030 requires direct action from all agricultural sectors.

How an international treaty aims to conserve plant genetic resources

With these designations, Chile now counts three GIAHS systems, and Latin America as a region has 11 designated systems across five countries. Globally, 104 agricultural heritage systems have now been recognized for their unique contribution to heritage, biodiversity and food diversity, climate resilience, livelihoods, and culture. 

This month's highlights include results of the Global Forest Resources Assessment, a flagship report on land degradation and policy responses across different landholding scales, and new guidance offering legislative options to protect pollinators and strengthen biodiversity-friendly governance across agrifood systems.

The selected projects support multiple KMGBF targets on sustainable agriculture, ecosystem protection, knowledge management, the control of invasive species and the engagement of local communities – including Indigenous Peoples – in biodiversity management for food and agriculture.

Forests are vital to life on Earth. But as pressures mount, how are they faring? Let’s explore the latest global data and see how our forests look as of 2025.

New FAO report on forests highlights slowing deforestation rates, the existence of long-term management plans for half of the world's forests, and the fact that one fifth of forests are now within legally established protected areas. However, it also notes that forest ecosystems continue to face challenges, with the current deforestation rate of 10.9 million hectares per year remaining too high.

Statement by Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity on World Food Day 2025. Food security, sustainability and biodiversity go together. This year’s theme of World Food Day echoes the vision of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF): working together to secure the well-being of people in harmony with nature.

The United Nations has named four new World Restoration Flagships under the UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration. Recognizing global efforts to heal degraded ecosystems, boost community incomes and support food security, the announcement was made during a high-level side event at the World Food Forum in Rome, ahead of World Food Day.

At the IUCN World Conservation Congress, FAO will contribute its integrated approach and expertise in mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors. As part of the discussions, FAO will reinforces that agrifood systems are central to conserve and sustainably use biodiversity.

The 2025 GIAHS Award Ceremony will take place on 31 October at FAO headquarters in Rome, within the celebrations of FAO’s 80th Anniversary. The event will celebrate 28 new agricultural heritage designations across 14 countries, bringing the total number of globally recognized heritage systems to 102.

FAO is set to support the implementation of a landmark United Nations treaty aimed at conserving and sustainably using marine biological diversity in waters beyond national jurisdiction. The agreement will come into force in January 2026, after reaching the required number of ratifications. 

The sixth observance of the International Day of Awareness of Food Loss and Waste calls for the expansion and strengthening of stakeholder efforts to reduce food loss and waste toward securing a sustainable food future for all. Join the global virtual event hosted by FAO and UNEP – Monday 29 September, 13:30 CEST.