At cop16’s food day, global leaders chart path to “peace with nature” through agrifood systems transformation

On October 28, 2024, COP16’s Food Day unfolded at the KMGBF Pavilion, spotlighting an essential mission: transforming agrifood systems to forge a pathway toward “Peace with Nature.” Convened by the Convention on Biological Diversity Secretariat (CBD), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Colombian Presidency of COP16, and Colombia’s Ministry of Agriculture, the day featured a series of discussions on how agrifood systems can harmonize food security, biodiversity, and environmental stewardship.

The event underscored that food systems have a powerful role in not only feeding the world but also healing it, by aligning agricultural practices with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) goals. Throughout the day, stakeholders from various sectors examined how integrated policies, traditional knowledge, and innovative approaches can position agrifood systems at the forefront of global biodiversity conservation efforts.

The day began with a call to action on embedding biodiversity into food production. In the opening session, speakers highlighted how agrifood systems are key to achieving peace with nature by reducing environmental impacts. By incorporating biodiversity into food systems, the world can take significant strides toward ecological resilience and human well-being. Emphasis was placed on sustainable practices that support both ecosystems and health, setting a vision for a balanced relationship between nature and agriculture.

The second session focused on the vital role of farmers and indigenous communities, who have long acted as custodians of biodiversity. Panellists shared stories of local initiatives where traditional agricultural practices, such as seed conservation and biodiversity-friendly cropping, have bolstered food security while preserving the natural landscape. The message was clear: respecting and reinforcing indigenous knowledge through policy support is essential. By empowering local communities, agrifood systems can become more resilient, ecologically sound, and culturally relevant.

In the third session, speakers examined the policies needed to foster sustainable food production. Representatives from multiple sectors advocated for integrated policy frameworks and financial incentives that support biodiversity-friendly farming practices. The session also highlighted public-private partnerships and proposed subsidies for environmentally positive practices as ways to create stronger incentives for biodiversity integration in agrifood systems. The discussions pointed to a fundamental need for policies that bridge biodiversity conservation and food security goals.

The link between biodiversity and nutrition was explored in the fourth session, where panellists emphasized that diverse diets foster resilience and health in food systems. Case studies illustrated how biodiverse diets contribute to nutritional benefits, enhancing system resilience in the face of climate change. The session highlighted the need for further research and public awareness to encourage consumer demand for biodiverse food products, promoting both ecosystem stability and human health.

In the fifth session, countries shared progress updates on their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) as they align with KMGBF objectives. The session focused on how agrifood systems could contribute to reducing biodiversity loss. With inputs from diverse sectors, countries discussed the importance of embedding biodiversity goals into crop, livestock, forestry, and fisheries policies to achieve peace with nature and ensure environmental sustainability in agriculture.

The day concluded with a powerful reminder: achieving peace with nature requires collaboration across borders and sectors. Key stakeholders were urged to drive KMGBF implementation by transforming agrifood systems, empowering farmers and indigenous peoples, fostering supportive environments, and promoting biodiversity in food and health. The call to action resonated with attendees, emphasizing that protecting biodiversity in food production is crucial for a sustainable future.

Key messages from COP16’s Food Day
• Embedding biodiversity in agrifood systems is crucial to achieving food security and environmental resilience. Attendees advocated for holistic approaches where food production and biodiversity conservation are intertwined.
• Farmers and indigenous peoples are central to sustainable food systems. Their traditional knowledge, practices, and involvement are invaluable assets in transforming food systems for the better.
• Robust policy frameworks and financial incentives, such as those in NBSAPs, are needed to bridge the goals of biodiversity conservation and food security.
• A diverse diet supports not only human nutrition but also system resilience, essential for sustainable and climate-adaptive food systems.
• Implementing KMGBF goals will require the active involvement of all agrifood-related sectors, emphasizing shared responsibility in combating biodiversity loss and fostering peace with nature.

Key takeaways for CGIAR’s research and impact areas
COP16’s Food Day reaffirmed key themes aligned with CGIAR’s research on food systems, biodiversity, and sustainable landscapes:
• Empowering communities to act as biodiversity stewards directly supports CGIAR’s commitment to multifunctional landscapes. Initiatives focused on capacity-building and community-driven conservation align with CGIAR’s goals of harmonizing food production with ecosystem health.
• Food Day sessions emphasized the need for water and soil conservation, resonating with CGIAR’s focus on sustainably managing natural resources in production landscapes. This integration is vital for agrifood systems that support biodiversity.
• The emphasis on local biodiversity conservation reinforces CGIAR’s objectives in protecting ecosystem services within food systems. Participants urged greater protections within production landscapes, reinforcing the essential role of ecosystem services for both agriculture and biodiversity.
• CGIAR’s research on food and nutrition security aligns closely with Food Day’s focus on the health and resilience benefits of diverse diets. The need for policy-driven incentives to encourage biodiverse food consumption presents an opportunity for CGIAR to deepen its impact on sustainable, nutrition-oriented food systems.