Uganda is set to host a landmark event aimed at fostering sustainable agricultural practices.
The Learning Journey on Biodiversity Mainstreaming Across Agricultural Sectors, scheduled from November 25 to 29, 2024, will bring together experts, policymakers, and stakeholders from across the globe to share best practices and align national strategies with global biodiversity goals.
Organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) under the Flexible Voluntary Contribution (FVC) sub-program, the initiative supports the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF) Target 10, which emphasizes sustainable agriculture, aquaculture, forestry, and fisheries through biodiversity-friendly practices.
The event comes at a critical time, immediately following the 16th Conference of the Parties (COP 16) of the Convention on Biological Diversity, providing participants a platform to reflect on recent decisions and discuss actionable strategies for implementation.
Antonio Querido, FAO’s Permanent Representative to Uganda, emphasized the importance of the Learning Journey on Biodiversity Mainstreaming Across Agricultural Sectors.
“This learning journey is a testament to our collective responsibility to ensure that biodiversity, the cornerstone of our agrifood systems, is preserved for future generations,” he said.
His words highlighted the significance of the event, which brings together national coordinators and government counterparts to share best practices and explore sustainable solutions for preserving biodiversity within agriculture.
The Stakes: Biodiversity and Agrifood Systems
Agriculture, fisheries, forestry, and aquaculture rely heavily on biodiversity, which provides essential services such as pollination, pest control, and soil health.
However, unsustainable practices, land use changes, pollution, and overexploitation threaten this biodiversity, undermining food security and nutrition worldwide.
The FAO sub-program aims to address these threats by mainstreaming biodiversity into agricultural policies, fostering coherence between agricultural and environmental sectors, and promoting sustainable practices.
Uganda, a biodiversity hotspot and agricultural powerhouse, is an ideal host for the event.
The country’s commitment to the KMGBF underscores its role in fostering sustainable agricultural practices while preserving its rich biodiversity.
By hosting this learning journey, Uganda will showcase its efforts in biodiversity conservation and sustainable agriculture, providing participants with a unique opportunity to learn from its experiences and field practices.
The event will feature bilateral meetings and field exchange visits, allowing participants to witness firsthand how biodiversity-friendly practices can enhance agricultural productivity while preserving ecosystems.
National project coordinators, policymakers, and representatives from Uganda’s FAO office will lead discussions, share insights, and explore future partnerships for scaling up successful strategies.
Key Objectives and Expected Outcomes
The key objectives of the event include:
Supporting FAO’s Uganda office and national coordinators in implementing biodiversity mainstreaming initiatives.
Strengthening existing partnerships and exploring new collaborations to scale up biodiversity conservation efforts.
Sharing knowledge and best practices on sustainable management of biodiversity in agriculture.
Translating the decisions of COP 16 into actionable strategies at the national level.
Participants are expected to leave the event equipped with the tools, knowledge, and partnerships needed to implement biodiversity-friendly agricultural practices in their respective countries.
Key outcomes include strengthened collaboration among stakeholders, paving the way for scaling up successful biodiversity conservation initiatives.
The event reinforces the importance of aligning local agricultural practices with global biodiversity goals.
As nations face growing pressures to balance agricultural productivity with environmental sustainability, the Learning Journey on Biodiversity Mainstreaming offers a timely reminder of the urgent need for action.
By fostering dialogue, collaboration, and innovation, Uganda’s efforts will serve as a model for sustainable agriculture in harmony with nature.
