FAO at the IUCN World Conservation Congress 2025

Abu Dhabi – The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is participating in the IUCN World Conservation Congress, taking place in Abu Dhabi from 9 to 15 October, to reinforce an important message: transforming agrifood systems is key to meet biodiversity conservation challenges.

The Congress will bring together nature conservation experts, leaders and decision‑makers from around the world to set priorities and action towards biodiversity conservation and sustainable development commitments. Taking place every four years, the 2025 edition is convened in the context of the 2030 deadline for implementing the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It will address key issues relevant to FAO’s work on ecosystem restoration, climate change, and the transition towards economic systems that actively conserve, restore and sustainably use ecosystems.

FAO’s role and key messages

At the Congress, the FAO delegation will contribute its integrated approach and expertise in mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors. As part of the discussions, FAO will convey that food production and biodiversity conservation are not antithetical. Biodiversity is the foundation of all food and agricultural production and must be part of the solution. Agrifood systems are directly linked to over half of the KMGBF targets and indirectly contribute to all other targets. Their transformation is central to achieving the KMGBF and halting biodiversity loss. 

The Organization is leading global efforts towards the transformation of agrifood systems under the framework of its Biodiversity Strategy. Through various initiatives, including the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative, FAO supports countries integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems and implement their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). These experiences will be shared to demonstrate how agrifood solutions are biodiversity solutions.

Key events

FAO will participate in several events, including the Congress’s High-Level Session The Balancing Act: Feeding People, Sustaining the Planet, to present examples from the Organization’s work of integrated approaches that simultaneously advance biodiversity conservation and sustainable use, food security, water and energy security, and resilient, healthy and sustainable livelihoods.

Among more than ten events featuring FAO participation, the Organization is joining discussions on food systems and climate change – including drought resilience, the potential of agricultural landscapes as Other Effective Area-Based Conservation Measures (OECMs), financial mechanisms for forest conservation, sustainable agricultural production, finance for multifunctional landscapes, and urban food systems in the context of sustainable cities.

The Balancing Act: Feeding People, Sustaining the Planet
Sunday 12 October, 12:30–13:30 (UTC+4)

This high-level dialogue will focus on the urgent need to reconcile agricultural production with healthy ecosystems and people, while ensuring water and energy security in the face of climate change, growing food demands, and natural resource degradation. As the world confronts challenges such as biodiversity loss, climate change, food insecurity, and water stress, it is critical to identify integrated solutions that deliver benefits for both people and planet.

Feeding the Future: Which Food Systems Will Survive Escalating Climate Events?
Thursday 9 October, 17:30–18.30 (UTC+4)

The purpose of the panel is to examine which food systems can withstand and thrive under the impacts of climate change, identify the changes needed, explore whether food production and biodiversity conservation can be complementary, and how more inclusive approaches can shape resilient, just, and sustainable food systems.

Exploring the potential of agricultural landscapes as OECMs
Friday 10 October, 11:00–12:00 (UTC+4)

This session explores the emerging potential for well-managed agricultural landscapes to be recognized as Other Effective area-based Conservation Measures (OECMs). It examines how such landscapes, when delivering sustained biodiversity conservation outcomes, can complement protected areas. Through practical examples, the event will highlight enabling conditions, governance considerations, and challenges specific to productive landscapes.

Transforming Urban Futures: Nature-Positive Pathways for Sustainable Cities
Sunday 12 October, 14:00–14:45 (UTC+4)

Discussions will examine integrated approaches for transformative change in food systems and urbanization, featuring insights from the Global Environment Facility (GEF) programs. The session will draw on experiences from the GEF’s food systems and sustainable cities programs and highlight concrete entry points and lessons learned to advance transformative change in food and urban systems.