The loss and erosion of biodiversity for food and agriculture in the Europe and Central Asia region pose a substantial and increasing threat to the availability of and access to healthy, nutritious and diverse diets, particularly among vulnerable and marginalised populations. Being a source of variety in essential foods, nutrients, vitamins, minerals and medicines, biodiversity is a determinant of food security and a sustainable diet.

The third issue of Biodiversity in Action illustrates why the health of humans and the environment requires biodiversity and how all dimensions of food security depend on it, highlighting the risks for nutrition and health and the benefits for food and nutritional security. The significant role that rural women play in the nutrition and safeguarding the biodiversity for food and agriculture, the potential of traditional and underutilised species for food security, and the nexus of nutrition, seeds and emergencies are referenced. Finally, the brochure reflects on how the FAO helps Member Nations in the Europe and Central Asia region address food insecurity, reduce all forms of malnutrition and transform agrifood systems to become more inclusive and provide for the sustainable use and protection of biodiversity, promoting nutrition-sensitive value chains and healthy diets while facilitating the One Health approach.