The ongoing NBSAPs revisions and updating offers a unique opportunity and entry point to deal with effective mainstreaming of biodiversity into key economic sectors. The GBF emphasizes the need for integrated policymaking at the national level, as well as promoting the whole-of-government and whole-of-society approach through active engagement of all key stakeholders, in ensuring its successful implementation. Along with NBSAP updating, countries are also advancing national policies, institutional arrangements and programmes related to sustainable food systems and Agrifood Systems National Pathways and Action Plans. In this regard, strengthening the linkages between NBSAPs revision and implementation and the efforts towards developing and implementing National Pathways and Action Plans for Agrifood Systems Transformation provides a key entry point for ensuring the active engagement of agriculture, forestry, fisheries, health and other sectors related to food systems in the revision and implementation of NBSAPs.

UNEP, in collaboration with partners including the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) have been supporting the efforts of Parties to the CBD in taking the above-mentioned integrated approach, through the strengthened nexus between the development and implementation of National Pathways and Action Plans for Agrifood Systems Transformation and the revision and implementation of NBSAPs.

The proposed side event will showcase some of the ongoing efforts and support provided to countries in Asia and the Pacific region, through bringing together focal points of ITPGRFA and CBD in a regional dialogue on NBSAPs, bringing together representatives of ministries of environment and agriculture in a regional dialogue on agrifood systems transformation, as well as targeted technical support to countries in strengthening the nexus between food systems and NBSAPs. The side event will also showcase specific national level efforts, particularly in Vanuatu and Lao PDR.