The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has facilitated $5.8 million in funding from the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF) for seven countries to integrate biodiversity into agrifood systems and advance the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). The approved projects focus on sustainable agriculture, ecosystem protection, knowledge management, the control of invasive species, and community engagement in biodiversity management, particularly involving Indigenous Peoples.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu praised the initiative, noting that the Kunming Biodiversity Fund plays a vital role in enabling developing nations to meet global biodiversity objectives through sustainable agriculture. He highlighted that the projects align with FAO’s “Four Betters” strategy and strengthen the role of agrifood systems in addressing biodiversity loss and the climate crisis.
Established by China in 2021 during the UN Biodiversity Conference, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund supports developing countries in protecting biodiversity and achieving KMGBF goals, especially in regions rich in natural resources but with limited financial capacity.
Among the approved projects, three countries—Madagascar, Uganda, and Mexico—will mainstream biodiversity into agrifood systems to implement their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs). The Cook Islands will focus on enhancing knowledge systems and community-led biodiversity management, emphasizing traditional practices and women’s participation. In Nepal and Sri Lanka, projects will tackle the prevention and management of invasive alien species to safeguard ecosystems and livelihoods. Türkiye will implement a project to strengthen the resilience and sustainable management of Lake Eğirdir through biodiversity-friendly practices and water-efficient agriculture.
FAO emphasized that agrifood systems are linked to over half of the KMGBF’s global targets. By promoting policy coherence, innovation, and knowledge sharing, FAO aims to transform these systems into powerful tools for sustainable development—helping to halt biodiversity loss while securing food security, nutrition, and resilient livelihoods worldwide.
