Biodiversity takes centre stage

Biodiversity is at the core of sustainable agricultural production and food security.  

FAO’s projects, programmes and knowledge products help countries conserve, restore and sustainably use biodiversity in agrifood systems.

This International Day for Biological Diversity, take a look at the wealth of FAO resources on the topic, highlighting the Organization’s efforts to achieve its vision of a sustainable and food-secure world for all.

Enabling consistent reporting and monitoring for freshwater (inland waters) restoration under Target 2 of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
This publication introduces a definition of “area under restoration” tailored to the unique characteristics of freshwater ecosystems and outlines key considerations for monitoring restoration efforts. By promoting consistent and coherent reporting, these guidelines aim to support countries in tracking progress, enhancing ecological outcomes, and ensuring that these critical but often overlooked ecosystems are effectively restored and maintained.

The Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative: Supporting countries in their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans for the agrifood sectors
By aligning national strategies with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework, the initiative promotes biodiversity conservation while ensuring sustainable food security and nutrition. It serves as a platform to support countries in achieving global biodiversity targets through biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices.

With more than half of the 23 targets of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) directly linked to agrifood systems, this booklet aims to highlight these connections and facilitate the engagement of countries and other stakeholders in implementing the framework. Agrifood sectors have a significant role in the planning, implementation, and monitoring of actions necessary to meet the framework's targets. FAO is promoting biodiversity-friendly practices that conserve resources, restore ecosystems, and promote sustainable agriculture.

Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity across Agricultural Sectors
This strategy aims to mainstream biodiversity across agricultural sectors at national, regional and international levels in a structured and coherent manner, considering national priorities, needs, regulations and policies, and country programming frameworks. See also the Action Plan for the implementation of the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors 2024–2027.

The Second Report on the State of the World's Forest Genetic Resources
Forests and woodlands are essential for people and the planet – they host biodiversity, support livelihoods, and protect soils. At the heart of such benefits are forest genetic resources, underpinning the resilience, adaptability and productivity of forests and other tree-based systems. Drawing on data from 77 countries, this report provides a global assessment of forest genetic resources and their crucial role for sustainable development.

The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
This report presents a comprehensive assessment of the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), as well as the human and institutional capacities to support these efforts. Based on information from 128 countries and four regional and 13 international research centres, and on contributions from over 1 600 experts, it presents an overview of progress since 2012, as well as current needs and challenges in the future management of PGRFA. The report provides a sound basis for recalibrating relevant policies and strategies, including the rolling Global Plan of Action for PGRFA.

Further reading

• FAO Strategic Framework 2022–2031
• Initiative on biodiversity for food and nutrition − Information note on progress and priorities (2024)

Forthcoming titles

• Perspectives on fisheries’ place in the Convention on Biological Diversity Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework
• Measuring attention to aquatic ecosystems in national biodiversity conservation planning
• Perspectives on aquaculture’s place in the Convention on Biological Diversity Global Biodiversity Framework
• Mainstreaming biodiversity across agricultural sectors in the Asia-Pacific region
• Strengthening governance for biodiversity protection in Chile’s coastal marine ecosystems – Governance and policy support: Issue brief

Additional resources

• FAO Biodiversity Knowledge Hub
• FAO publications catalogue