Outcomes of the COP17 UN Biodiversity Conference: Advancing the Yerevan Pathway through agrifood systems
At the 17th United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP17), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Members in implementing the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) through sustainable and resilient agrifood systems.
COP17 reinforced the central role of agrifood systems in delivering the KMGBF and the need to move rapidly from commitments to implementation. The Global Review of collective progress highlighted implementation gaps, while the Yerevan Pathway provides renewed momentum towards 2030, including through stronger implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), monitoring, finance and mainstreaming biodiversity across sectors. In this context, FAO is well positioned to support countries in translating biodiversity commitments into action across agrifood systems, building on its technical expertise, data and tools and its support to the COP17 Presidency initiatives co-launched at COP17.
New initiatives launched at COP17
FAO co-launched two COP17 Presidency Flagship Initiatives:
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The Yerevan Tech for Biodiversity Monitoring Hub, brings together under one platform all organizations responsible for the 27 headline indicators of the KMGBF. It will help countries improve the way they collect, use and report biodiversity data by connecting them with technical expertise, technologies and partner support. FAO will contribute expertise in statistics, national monitoring systems and capacity development. Learn more on the KMGBF indicators under FAO custodianship here.
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The Yerevan Global OECM Action Hub, will support countries and partners working on other effective area-based conservation measures, known as OECMs. These recognize areas outside formally protected areas where biodiversity is effectively conserved, including productive landscapes and seascapes. A new analysis from FAO found that almost one-third of Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) plan to recognize rural heritage, agricultural and fisheries areas as potential OECMs in support of KMGBF Target 3. FAO has already developed guidance for identifying, evaluating and reporting OECMs in marine fisheries and released similar guidance for aquaculture.
FAO also supported the launch of the “Yerevan Platform on Mountains and Related Freshwater Ecosystems”, a platform that aims to strengthen technical cooperation, mobilize resources and better integrate mountain and freshwater priorities into national biodiversity strategies.
New evidence and tools from FAO to support KMGBF implementation ahead of 2030
Global analysis of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs)
FAO’s latest analysis of NBSAPs shows that agrifood systems cut across all 23 targets of the KMGBF. Thirty-six percent of the actions proposed by countries in their NBSAPs are related to agrifood systems. In 2025, the Organization supported more than 65 countries in updating and implementing their NBSAPs. Through the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative, work is ongoing or planned in 13 countries, mobilizing around USD 13.7 million to strengthen policy coherence, knowledge and implementation on the ground. Alongside the analysis, FAO presented the Agrifood, Biodiversity and Climate Policy Navigator, an online tool that helps users compare national biodiversity and climate commitments and identify where the two agendas can better reinforce each other.
With this guide, FAO also provides practical options to help countries make agriculture, aquaculture, fisheries and forestry more sustainable while supporting biodiversity. The guide includes more than 90 suggested activities and links to over 600 resources, datasets and platforms.
Updated Guidelines for Integrated Land Use Planning (ILUP)
The voluntary guidelines are designed to help countries manage competing demands on land, soil and water and make more integrated decisions that balance agriculture, urbanization and infrastructure with conservation, restoration, food and water security and climate resilience.
FAO also presented an e-learning course on biodiversity and agrifood systems available in English, French and Spanish.