(AGENPARL) - Roma, 13 Febbraio 2026 - (AGENPARL) – Fri 13 February 2026 FAO to co-host High-Level Roundtable on agrifood systems and biodiversity during UN Biodiversity meeting in Rome
18 February 2026 | 17:45–18:55 (CET) | FAO headquarters – Rome
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) will co-host with the Armenian Presidency of COP17 and the Secretariat of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), a High-Level Roundtable on “Agrifood systems taking action for nature” on 18 February at FAO headquarters.
The event takes place during the sixth meeting of the Subsidiary Body on Implementation (SBI-6) of the CBD held in Rome from 16 to 19 February 2026. SBI‑6 is the first major implementation-focused meeting after the adoption of the Kunming–Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF). It will prepare the ground for COP‑17 by reviewing progress made in the implementation of National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs), identifying gaps, and recommending concrete actions to support full implementation of the Framework.
Strengthening global momentum from COP16 to COP17
The Roundtable builds on momentum from CBD COP16, where FAO, the Government of Colombia and the CBD Secretariat launched the Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative to enhance the integration of agrifood systems in National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs).
As countries transition from planning to implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework ahead of COP17 in Armenia, the event in Rome will help take stock of how agrifood systems have been integrated into NBSAPs, and inform national priorities for biodiversity action.
High-Level Roundtable: “Agrifood systems taking action for nature”
18 February 2026 | 17:45–18:55 CET | FAO headquarters
The discussion will focus on how agrifood systems can accelerate biodiversity action and support countries in delivering on their commitments under the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
The event will also explore:
how countries are incorporating agrifood systems into their biodiversity strategies;
the types of actions being prioritized;
the actors involved and intended beneficiaries;
identified capacity, financing and monitoring needs.
Opening remarks will be delivered by:
QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General
Hambardzum Matevosyan, Minister of Environment of Armenia and President of CBD COP17
Astrid Schomaker, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity
Senior government representatives and international partners will share national experiences and priorities for scaling up biodiversity action across agrifood systems.
The session will be moderated by Kaveh Zahedi, FAO Assistant Director-General and Director of the Office of Climate Change, Biodiversity and Environment.
A visual display in the Atrium will highlight FAO’s biodiversity work across agricultural sectors.
SBI-6 at FAO
SBI-6 is the CBD’s main forum for reviewing national implementation of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
Discussions in Rome will inform preparations for CBD COP17, with a focus on monitoring, reporting and resource needs.
Media participation
The High-Level Roundtable can be followed online and will be streamed live on UN Web TV.
RESOURCES
FAO Biodiversity website
Convention on Biological Diversity website
Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework website
Agri-NBSAPs Support Initiative
FOLLOW ONLINE
The High-Level Roundtable will be streamed live on UN Web TV.
FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA
@FAOClimate
#SBI6
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