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.

With eight new additions this month, the Hub now features 478 resources. Highlights include new practical guides on conserving plant genetic resources through cryopreservation and non-orthodox seed management, reports on global fishery and aquaculture statistics, analyses of ecosystem approach legislation and area-based conservation measures, and guidance for policymakers and practitioners on putting livelihoods first in ecosystem restoration.   

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Secretariat of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) launched a new global partnership to help countries monitor and report on ecosystem restoration, including in Asia-Pacific, one of the most biodiverse yet ecologically threatened regions of the world.

FAO has released two new practical guides to support the application of genebank standards for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. One guide focuses on species producing non-orthodox seeds, while the other addresses conservation through cryopreservation.

Three new GIAHS designations from FAO – one in Italy and two in Japan – showcase agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge and cultural heritage. These dynamic and resilient systems embody rich agrobiodiversity, traditional knowledge, invaluable cultures, and landscapes, sustainably managed by farmers, herders, fisherfolk, and forest communities in ways that support local livelihoods and food security.

This landmark UN treaty aims to conserve and sustainably use marine biodiversity in areas beyond national jurisdiction (ABNJ), the vast ocean spaces that lie beyond national borders and cover around forty percent of the planet’s surface. The BBNJ Agreement presents a unique opportunity to improve coordination, strengthen ocean governance at all levels, and ensure that biodiversity considerations are integrated into all ocean-related activities.

The FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub consolidates FAO’s existing information and resources related to biodiversity in agrifood systems. With ten new additions this month, the Hub now features 470 resources, searchable by various filters – including KMGBF targets.

A regional workshop on Knowledge Management for Biodiversity (KM4B) brought together delegates from African countries from 21–24 July 2025 in Ethiopia to strengthen collaboration and capacity in support of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (Framework).

When people in Gulrez, a small village in eastern Tajikistan, feel unwell, they don’t always travel to the nearest town for medical care. Instead, they often turn to Dzhamolov Mahmadali, a local healer in their community, who offers natural treatment using plants from the surrounding mountains.

FAO-led publication outlines structure and highlights agenda including new harmonized indicators and capacity building accessible to all