The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) coordinates international cooperation in the field of biodiversity for food and agriculture. Its central coordination and negotiating body is the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA). It is organised in intergovernmental technical working groups on various topics such as animal or plant genetic resources.
International cooperation for the conservation of microorganisms and invertebrates should be strengthened in the future. Its great importance was recognised at the 11th regular meeting of CGRFA 2007. Reports on status and trends of conservation and sustainable use will be prepared for the following topics:
• soil microorganisms
• biological pest control
• plant pathogens
• ruminant digestion
• agroindustrial processes
• food production
Convention on Biological Diversity CBD
The CBD (Convention on Biological Diversity) was adopted in 1992 and entered into force in 1993. It has three main objectives:
1. the conservation of biological diversity
2. the sustainable use of the components of biological diversity
3. the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of genetic resources
The CBD thematic work programmes address agriculture, forestry and fisheries. Within these programmes, there are important cross-cutting initiatives for agriculture and food, including diversity of pollinators, soil diversity and nutrition.
In order to stop the progressive loss of biodiversity, the parties of the CBD adopted the "Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020" in 2010. It defines 20 concrete targets for action, the so-called Aichi biodiversity targets. The CBD Secretariat is based in Montreal, Canada. The agreement currently has 196 parties.