Title : Integrating biodiversity conservation into sustainable agricultural systems: Regional perspectives from West Asia
Abstract:
Agricultural systems across the globe are facing unprecedented pressures driven by climate change, land degradation, biodiversity loss, and increasing demands for food security. In West Asia, these challenges are further intensified by arid and semi-arid climatic conditions, water scarcity, and fragile ecosystems. This keynote presentation explores practical and strategic approaches for integrating biodiversity conservation into sustainable agricultural systems, drawing on more than three decades of regional experience in environmental systems and natural resource management. The presentation highlights the critical role of biodiversity as a foundation for resilient agricultural production, emphasizing ecosystem services such as soil fertility, pollination, pest regulation, and water regulation. It examines how conventional agricultural practices have contributed to ecosystem degradation, and how nature-based solutions and ecosystem-based management approaches can reverse these trends while maintaining productivity and livelihoods. Using regional examples from West Asia, the presentation illustrates successful integration models that align agricultural development with conservation objectives, including landscape-level planning, sustainable land management, agroecological practices, and policy frameworks that promote cross-sectoral collaboration. Particular attention is given to the role of institutions, governance mechanisms, and capacity-building in enabling farmers and decision-makers to adopt sustainable practices. The keynote also discusses emerging opportunities for aligning biodiversity conservation with food security agendas, climate adaptation strategies, and international sustainability commitments. It underscores the importance of science–policy–practice interfaces and regional cooperation in scaling up successful models. The presentation concludes with actionable recommendations for policymakers, researchers, and practitioners to foster agricultural systems that are productive, climate-resilient, and biodiversity-positive, contributing to long-term sustainability in West Asia and beyond.
