Many of of the solutions to common common public health and environmental threats can only be found through cross-sectoral and interdisciplinary knowledge exchange, action and policy. This session will showcase how coherent and inclusive, evidence-based policies at the public health, environment, and climate nexus – through the lens of Nature-based solutions – can help prevent future health risks associated with ecosystem degradation, biodiversity loss and climate change, and chart a common path toward the achievement of the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and Sustainable Development Goals.

Moreover, amidst the ongoing development of the draft global action plan on biodiversity and health, this proposed side event serves as a platform to emphasize the urgent need for coherent and inclusive policies intersecting public and global health, biodiversity conservation, and sustainable food systems. With a focus on better aligning efforts with the objectives outlined in the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the draft global action plan on biodiversity and health, within and outside the environment sector, this event aims to highlight the transformative potential of cross-sectoral leadership and Nature-Based Solutions (NbS), the value of Indigenous Knowledge, and the imperative of food system transformation.

By highlighting these interconnected themes, our aim is to maximize synergies and catalyze leadership across sectors and stakeholder groups. Through strategic alignment with both the Kunming Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework and the draft global action plan on biodiversity and health, we seek to ensure that policies and actions are not only harmonized but also optimized to address concurrent global challenges. This event will serve as a dynamic forum for dialogue, knowledge exchange, and sharing of best practices, paving the way for integrated approaches that jointly safeguard biodiversity, enhance public health outcomes, and promote sustainable food systems.