From 21 October to 1 November, a delegation from the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO) participated in the 2024 United Nations Biodiversity Conference (CBD COP 16) in Cali, Colombia. This was WFO’s first participation at the CBD COP, marking a significant milestone in elevating farmers’ voices in global biodiversity policy-making discussions that directly impact agriculture.
Led by Eloisa Frederking, the WFO Board Member for Latin America and 2nd Vice-President of Sociedad Rural Argentina (SRA), the delegation included Pierre Lampron, 2nd Vice-President of the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA); Maria Alkayed, Manager of Environmental Sustainability and Regulatory Affairs at the Canadian Federation of Agriculture (CFA); Karen Post Bache, Nature Policy Manager at the Danish Food and Agriculture Council (DAFC); James Thiaine, Senior Policy Advisor at the Kenya National Farmers Federation (KENAFF); and Balbino Benitez, Vice President of Unión Agrícola Nacional (UAN). Ambra Raggi, WFO Member Engagement Manager, and Francesco Brusaporco, Officer in Charge of Biodiversity Issues, also joined the delegation.
CBD COP 16 was the first Biodiversity COP since the adoption of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) at COP 15 in December 2022 in Montreal, Canada. The expected outcomes for COP 16 included a review by governments of the implementation status of the GBF Framework, focusing on alignment with National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) and resource mobilisation efforts. Despite agreements on other important issues, for instance on the establishment of a new benefit-sharing mechanism for genetic resources and a new permanent body for Indigenous peoples, the COP failed to reach consensus on key agenda items, including the creation of a new funding instrument and the finalisation of a new framework for monitoring countries’ progress on tackling biodiversity loss. Discussions on these issues are scheduled to resume during a resumed session of COP16 scheduled to take place at the end of February 2025 in Rome, Italy. The coming months will also be key for countries to set out new plans for how they will meet the GBF targets, as almost 80% of Parties missed the COP16 deadline to present their NBSAPs.
At its first time at a biodiversity COP, the WFO advocated for a greater involvement of the farmers in the process to bridge the gap between lofty discussions and poor implementation. With about two-thirds of GBF targets directly related to the agricultural sector, the GBF simply cannot be achieved without greater:
- Recognition of the ecosystem services provided by through sustainable agriculture,
- Engagement of farmers as critical partners in biodiversity conservation efforts,
- Support for farmers in implementing sustainable and locally appropriate agricultural practices that enhance biodiversity and food security.
Cultivating Tomorrow: Embracing Innovation for a Sustainable, Biodiverse Future
On 25 October, Maria Alkayed (CFA) and Francesco Brusaporco (WFO) participated in the side event “Cultivating Tomorrow: Embracing Innovation for a Sustainable, Biodiverse Future,“ organised by CropLife International, AgroBio Colombia, and the Sociedad de Agricultores de Colombia (SAC).
Francesco Brusaporco emphasised that discussions about integrating biodiversity in the agricultural sector will only translate into real change if there is a strong commitment to creating an enabling environment for farmers to manage and invest in their land sustainably.
Maria Alkayed pointed out that farmers, as stewards of natural resources, are always at the forefront, looking for better and more sustainable methods to produce agricultural and agri-food products. They are eager to adopt proven, science-based practices and have made significant progress in implementing Best Management Practices (BMPs) on their lands to enhance sustainability and meet the needs of the world’s growing population.
Feeding the Future: Harmonising Food Systems with the Natural World
Photo credit: ©World Climate Foundation
On 26 October, Board Member Eloisa Frederking represented the WFO at the World Biodiversity Summit organised by the World Climate Foundation. She addressed key discussions on how regenerative agriculture practices can contribute to ecosystem restoration and carbon sequestration while improving production systems.
Board Member Frederking emphasised that at WFO, farmers set the agenda, develop policy positions, and advocate for their interests in key international forums. She stated, “We focus on what we have in common rather than what divides us. This is as much about reaching compromises as it is about recognising that there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ solution.”
Food Day at COP16: Empowering Farmers and Indigenous Peoples as Stewards of Biodiversity
On 28 October, during Food Day at COP16, the World Farmers’ Organisation (WFO), in collaboration with the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity (IIFB) and the Legal Research Chair in Food Diversity and Security at Université Laval, hosted the session titled “Empowering Farmers and Indigenous Peoples as Stewards of Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture” at the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) Pavilion.
The session aimed to emphasise the vital role of farmers and Indigenous communities in providing solutions to biodiversity-related challenges and to encourage their active participation in implementing the GBF at both global and national levels.
Photo credit: ©IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
Pierre Lampron (CFA) highlighted that farmers play a critical role as stewards of the land and biodiversity, essential for conservation and food security. He pointed out that while two-thirds of the GBF targets relate to agriculture, farmers are frequently excluded from discussions.
Photo credit: ©IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
Karen Post Bache (DAFC) underscored the importance of farmers in driving transformative land use changes. She stressed the need to empower and engage farmers on the ground and finance sustainable agriculture development.
Photo credit: ©IISD/ENB | Mika Schroder
WFO Board Member Eloisa Frederking provided inspiring examples from public-private programs in Argentina that successfully integrate biodiversity conservation into sustainable agrifood systems.
James Thiaine (KENAFF) shared Kenya’s initiative to plant 10 billion trees by 2030 to enhance soil health, productivity, and biodiversity while combating climate change. He emphasised the necessity of direct financing for farmers, noting that global funding for conservation often overlooks the connection between food and biodiversity.
The Role of Regenerative Agriculture in Tackling Climate Change, Biodiversity Loss, and Pollution
Photo credit: ©IUCN
On 29 October, Balbino Benitez (UAN) participated in the “Common Ground on Regenerative Agriculture for a Sustainable Future: Screening & Farmers Dialogue” event by IUCN, Regen10, and the UN Foundation.
During the panel discussion, he shared his first-hand experience with embracing regenerative farming practices, such as organic agriculture, the use of native seeds, and biodiversity conservation. He emphasised these approaches as practical and cost-effective solutions for family farmers facing climate and economic challenges.
“Nature offers us valuable lessons, and we must learn from them to move towards more sustainable, resilient farming that is in harmony with the environment,” he affirmed.