As the world prepares for transformations to its food systems in order to feed a growing planet, nutritiously and in an environmentally sustainable way, maintaining biodiversity will be a critical element in that equation, a panel of experts meeting in the Asia-Pacific region heard today.

A virtual consultative meeting was convened on the eve of International Day for Biological Diversity, considered a timely opportunity to share innovative ideas and consider new directions to reverse the loss of biodiversity in the Asia-Pacific region, as FAO would be organizing the UN Food Systems pre-summit dialogue,which would include a High-Level Political Forum, in July this year. That event will look into the Voluntary National Reviews including biodiversity-related SDGs.