FAO and Kunming Fund Power Sri Lanka’s Fight Against Biodiversity Threats

COLOMBO (News 1st): Sri Lanka has been selected among seven countries to benefit from a $5.8 million funding package approved by the Kunming Biodiversity Fund (KBF), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO).

The funding will support targeted projects aimed at integrating biodiversity into agrifood systems and advancing the goals of the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (KMGBF).

Sri Lanka’s project focuses on preventing and controlling invasive alien species, a growing threat to native ecosystems and agricultural sustainability.

The initiative will enhance border control mechanisms, train frontline teams, and mobilize communities for removal efforts and awareness campaigns — strengthening national biosecurity and protecting the country’s rich biodiversity.

FAO Director-General QU Dongyu welcomed the funding, emphasizing the role of agrifood systems in halting biodiversity loss and promoting climate resilience.

He noted that the KBF is instrumental in helping developing nations meet global biodiversity goals through sustainable agriculture, under the guidance of FAO’s “Four Betters” — better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life.

Launched by the People’s Republic of China in 2021, the Kunming Biodiversity Fund supports biodiversity-rich but resource-constrained countries.

Alongside Sri Lanka, the selected nations include Madagascar, Uganda, Mexico, Nepal, Türkiye, and the Cook Islands, each with tailored projects addressing ecosystem protection, invasive species management, and community-led conservation.