The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) took part in the inaugural Biodiversity Summit for Africa held in Gaborone, Botswana, from November 2–5, 2025. The summit brought together African governments, experts, and development partners to accelerate efforts toward biodiversity protection and sustainable food systems across the continent. FAO played a leading role by moderating a high-level technical session on “Strengthening Biodiversity Governance in Africa,” emphasizing the need for stronger policies, coordinated regional strategies, and institutional capacity to preserve ecosystems while advancing sustainable agriculture.
FAO’s ongoing work includes supporting the development of the Continental Biodiversity Strategy and Action Plan, along with regional strategies for the Southern African Development Community (SADC) and the East African Community (EAC). Through the EU-funded ACP-MEAs 3 programme, FAO assists countries in improving biodiversity governance, integrating biodiversity into agricultural policies, and ensuring compliance with global environmental agreements. The organization is also helping African nations update their National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) in alignment with the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Under ACP-MEAs 3, FAO promotes agroecological practices, enhances pesticide risk reduction frameworks, and trains farmers in sustainable agricultural techniques. Farmer Field Schools in Tanzania and Zimbabwe are advancing eco-friendly practices such as biopesticides and conservation farming, while restoration initiatives like mangrove rehabilitation in Tanzania are helping to rebuild ecosystems and enhance climate resilience.
Beyond this, FAO is advancing biodiversity management through initiatives such as the AgriNBSAP initiative, the Biodiversity Knowledge Hub, and the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity into Agriculture. These programs help countries align agricultural priorities with biodiversity goals, providing policy guidance, technical tools, and global knowledge-sharing platforms. They also promote nature-positive practices such as agroforestry, soil biodiversity conservation, pollinator protection, and sustainable livestock and crop systems—key elements of FAO’s vision for sustainable agrifood transformation.
The Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme was also showcased at the summit, highlighting progress in community-based wildlife conservation, efforts to reduce zoonotic disease risks, and policy support through the SWM Legal Hub. FAO reaffirmed its commitment to building institutional capacity, strengthening monitoring systems, and mobilizing finance for biodiversity-aligned agricultural transformation, ensuring Africa’s food systems contribute to global biodiversity goals.
FAO International Biodiversity Policy Specialist Kudzai Kusena emphasized the importance of embedding biodiversity into agricultural policies and practices, noting that mainstreaming biodiversity is essential for protecting ecosystems, improving livelihoods, and ensuring food security for future generations across Africa.
