Local community participation is key to preserving biodiversity, FAO representative emphasizes  

“Local community participation and synergy between domestic and international experts is key to prevent irreversible environmental destruction and protect this treasure for future generations,” the Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Iran, Farrukh Toirov said in national event marking the International Day for Biological Diversity 2026.

Organized by the Department of Environment, the event took place on Saturday, 23 May in Sari, Mazandaran Province. It brought together senior government officials and United Nations representatives, including Shina Ansari, Head of the Department of Environment; FAO Representative in Iran; and Ayshanie Medagangoda-Labé, United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Representative in Iran.

This year's event was held under the global theme “Acting locally for global impact” – a message that FAO Representative placed at the center of his address.

Biodiversity: not an environmental issue alone

Speaking at the opening ceremony, Toirov stressed that biodiversity must not be treated as a standalone environmental concern. “Biodiversity is the living foundation of agrifood systems, food security, livelihoods, ecosystem resilience, and sustainable development,” he stated.

He highlighted alarming global trends: of more than 6 000 plant species cultivated for food throughout history, fewer than 200 contribute substantially to global food production today – and just nine crop species account for 66% of total global crop production. Toirov also noted that 75% of the world’s most productive crop plants depend at least in part on pollinators, which contribute to roughly 35% of global crop production. “Without biodiversity and ecosystem services, food production itself would be at risk,” he warned.

Toirov recognized Iran as a country of significant global biodiversity importance, noting its remarkable climatic, topographic, and ecosystem diversity – home to more than 8 200 plant species, around 197 mammal species, 535 bird species, and globally important and endangered species such as the Asiatic cheetah and the Persian leopard.

He underscored, however, that these valuable assets face increasing pressures from climate change, water scarcity, land degradation, and habitat loss – making strengthened conservation and sustainable management efforts all the more urgent.

FAO’s partnership with Iran: local action, global impact

The FAO representative highlighted the breadth of FAO-supported interventions in the Islamic Republic of Iran that contribute – directly or indirectly – to biodiversity conservation and ecosystem resilience. These include the conservation of endangered indigenous livestock genetic resources in north-western Iran, such as the Sarabi cattle, the Marakhoz goat, and the Bactrian camel; long-standing engagement in the Lake Urmia Basin to reduce environmental pressures through improved water efficiency; and integrated pest management, sustainable agriculture, and climate resilience initiatives supported through the Green Climate Fund.

“Biodiversity conservation in Iran is inseparable from sustainable agriculture, water security, climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, dryland management, and rural livelihoods,” Toirov affirmed.

Closing his remarks, Toirov reaffirmed FAO’s commitment to its strong partnership with the Government of the Islamic Republic of Iran, emphasizing that while FAO and the United Nations system play a key facilitating role – bringing global knowledge, technical expertise, and innovation – the primary leadership rightly rests with national institutions.

“Biodiversity action begins locally: in farmers’ fields, in rangelands, in watersheds, in wetlands, in forests, and within communities. But when local action is sustained and coordinated, its impact becomes national – and global,” he concluded.