According to estimates, in Europe and Central Asia, 42 percent of monitored terrestrial animal and plant species have declined in population in the past decade. It is now more important than ever before to conserve and use biodiversity sustainably, and to reduce the pressure on natural resources and ecosystems. Action is needed to ensure the health of people and of the planet health and to protect the livelihoods of rural and indigenous populations in Europe and Central Asia, most of whom depend directly or indirectly on the agricultural sector and play a fundamental role in protecting global biodiversity.

According to a report by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), biodiversity in Europe and Central Asia is mainly threatened by habitat loss, deforestation, changes in land use, and unsustainable agricultural activities. Intensive agricultural practices undermine biodiversity and genetic resources, and often break functioning agroecosystems by focusing on high-yield production. Following the International Day for Biological Diversity, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) convened relevant actors today to discuss how to further mainstream biodiversity into the food and agriculture sectors in Europe and Central Asia. At this two-day virtual event, countries will have the chance to discuss ways to catalyze national action supporting biodiversity key to build resilient agrifood systems.