New frontiers for agri-food transformation

Recognising the need for collective action and open dialogue, IUCN became a Strategic Partner of the Forum in 2021, supporting its mission to advance transformative change toward sustainable food production and environmental stewardship. At this year’s conference, Alberto Arroyo Schnell, Head of Programme and Policy at the IUCN European Regional Office, took the stage to reflect on the Vision for Agriculture and Food presented by Commissioner for Agriculture and Food, Christophe Hansen. He welcomed the Commissioner’s continued commitment to environmental legislation and the integration of Nature-based Solutions (NbS). In its Statement on the Vision for Agriculture and Food, IUCN emphasises that simplification strategies in agricultural policies must not come at the expense of environmental standards. Ensuring coherence across existing legislation remains essential for delivering strong ecological outcomes, an approach that aligns with IUCN’s long-standing support for the non-regression principle, reaffirmed in its Resolution WCC-128-2012.

Addressing common misconceptions surrounding food security, IUCN reaffirmed the position outlined in the 2023 Call to Action from Madrid, emphasising that Europe’s primary challenge lies in sustaining food production in the face of climate change and environmental degradation. Restoring natural capital — particularly soil health, water quality, biodiversity, and pollinator populations — is essential to building long-term resilience in agri-food systems.

IUCN calls for the wider adoption of scientifically validated sustainable approaches and practices and increased support for Nature-based Solutions, which effectively integrate environmental, economic, and social objectives, as highlighted in its publications: Approaches to Sustainable Agriculture (2020), Assessing the Biodiversity-Agriculture Nexus (2024) and Sustainable Agriculture and Nature-based Solutions (2024).

Water resilience was also underscored as a priority. Restoring freshwater ecosystems, addressing agricultural runoff, and scaling up the use of Nature-based Solutions are vital for rebuilding Europe’s water cycle, improving water quality, and strengthening ecosystem health. IUCN’s Global Standard for Nature-based Solutions provides both theoretical and practical guidance to support these critical transitions, complemented by strategic proof-of-concept investments to secure sustainable financing.

IUCN looks forward to continuing the conversation and further debates on the intersection of agriculture and nature conservation at the 2025 edition of the IUCN World Conservation Congress, to which Forum participants were warmly invited.

For more information on the Forum for the Future of Agriculture, please click here.