Farmers must be at the heart of biodiversity action

Colombia’s Environment Minister María Susana Muhamad and Agriculture Minister Martha Carvajalino emphasized the imperative need for full implementation of biodiversity action at COP16. The FAO launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative to assist governments in integrating agrifood systems into their National Biodiversity Strategies, aiming to eliminate contradictions between agricultural policies and biodiversity goals. Secretary-General António Guterres pointed out the critical funding issue, stating that only a fraction of the necessary $200 billion per year has been mobilized. The discussions ahead will focus on enhancing accountability frameworks for financial commitments made by wealthier nations.