6th Science Policy Forum for Biodiversity COP 16 Cali S2

More and more often, the dominant narratives on the relationship between agriculture, food systems and sustainable development are perceived as inadequate: they either focus on maximizing agricultural output – the productivist approach – or on prioritizing the preservation of biodiversity over economic impacts – the ecologist approach. That is why, as a follow-up session to the Montpellier Global Days, a group of experts participated in the collective identification of the key elements of a new narrative supporting the transformation of agri-food systems for people and nature. By emphasizing the interconnectedness of agri-food systems and biodiversity, a new narrative can help reconcile these objectives.

Can this narrative become a reality? If so, how? These participatory sessions will focus on scaling up ambitious and transformative cases that indigenous peoples and local communities are putting forward.

General objectives

• Explore integrating various knowledge systems and practices in agricultural landscapes, related productive systems and consumption.
• By building on the themes identified and developed in the Montpellier Process and the Transforming Agri-food Systems for People and Nature, explore how the new set of values proposed in the new narrative can be translated into concrete solutions, to develop and realize alternative value chains.

Specific objectives:

• Create a space to discuss and exchange experiences on integrating knowledge systems and practices into agricultural landscapes, related productive systems and consumption.
• Explore knowledge systems as triggers for implementation of The Biodiversity Plan
• Identify the specific needs and challenges faced by knowledge holders, especially indigenous peoples, afrodescendants and local communities, and women.
• Compile the experience of successful cases and lessons learned towards transformed agri-food systems.
• Generate ideas for next steps and further activities to contribute to the integration of these knowledge systems into agri-food system transformation
• Foster collaboration among experts, government leaders and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen coordinated action in biodiversity conservation and restoration at the state level.

Workshop restitution and report from the work groups.