Recent findings on the threats of biodiversity loss and ecosystem degradation from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)’s State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture and the global assessment report of the Intergovernmental Science-Policy Platform on Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services have put agriculture at the crosshairs as the prime target in sustaining the future of the people and the planet.

Stakeholders from across all sectors from crops to livestock production, forestry, fisheries and aquaculture recently met in Rwanda and vibrantly discussed the role of biodiversity, exchange on good practices and current challenges to mainstreaming its conservation, sustainable use and restoration. Organized by FAO, the Convention on Biological Diversity and the Ministry of Agriculture and Animal Resources of the Republic of Rwanda, the conference highlighted the role of biodiversity as a critical ally in safeguarding global food security, promoting healthy and nutritious diets, improving rural livelihoods, and enhancing the resilience of people and communities.