Thematic session: Agroecological NbS in Action: Jointly Addressing the Resilience of
Water, Soil, Biodiversity and People
Friday, 10 October – 11:00-12:30 (Abu Dhabi Time)
Conference Hall B: Session Room 10 – Hybrid Format
Format: Hybrid – World Café
Why attend this session
Discover agroecology’s potential, as an agricultural NbS, to enhance water and soil
health. Through interactive discussions and case studies from Mexico, Indonesia, and the UAE,
we will collaboratively map high-impact actions to scale agroecological NbS and advance foodsystem transformation that works for people and nature.
Brief session description
This session explores agroecological approaches as cornerstones of agricultural NbS,
highlighting how they sustain and bridge livelihoods, biodiversity, soil health and water
resilience. Through an interactive exchange on the connections between agroecology and the
NbS framework, and real-world case studies, the session showcases the positive impact of
agroecology and agroforestry on the water-soil-biodiversity nexus. Participants will analyze
case studies that illustrate diverse agroecological NbS in action: In Mexico, indigenous
community agroforestry efforts strengthen water resilience and soil fertility. In Indonesia,
policy frameworks advance regenerative and circular economy approaches through
agroecology. In the UAE’s Hajar Mountains, agroecology is applied to achieve water-efficient
farming systems through improved irrigation and restorative practices. Throughout the session,
participants will collaboratively map and identify high-impact actions for scaling
agroecological NbS for soil, water and biodiversity in the next five years, contributing to a
concrete roadmap that supports the objectives of IUCN resolutions on agroecology.
Session objectives
- Shed light on how agroecology as an agricultural NbS sustain multiple co-benefits
across water management, soil health, biodiversity and society, emphasizing the
potential of expanding these solutions to amplify resilient conservation efforts. - Engage the general public and professionals in a dialogue on policy and practice
perspectives, using examples such as agroforestry, wetland restoration and agroecology
showcased in the Mexican, UAE, and Indonesian case studies, while exploring
strategies to advance water and soil conservation through agroecological approaches.
The discussions will explore how these strategies contribute to a shift towards nature-
positive economies and societies, fostering equitable economic opportunities, restoring
natural capital for future generations and promoting environmental justice.
Session outcomes
- Through interactive discussion, participants will enhance their understanding of the
connections between biodiversity, water, and soil health through agroecology as an
agricultural NbS. Together, they will co-create policy and practice insights that inform
ongoing projects, advocacy efforts, and the case studies presented, fostering new
collaboration opportunities. - Discussions will contribute to developing a concrete roadmap of high-impact actions to
advance the objectives of the IUCN resolutions on agroecology, and of the motion on
agroforestry and soil biodiversity submitted to WCC, with the FWP and IUCN’s French
Committee having been actively involved in the drafting committee.
Speakers:
- Moritz Fegert – Biovision Foundation – (Moderation)
-
Fabien Kufel – IUCN French Comittee
-
Karine Caussé – French Water Partnership
-
Orsolya Nyárai – IUCN Secretariat
Congress-relevant themes
- Scaling Up Resilient Conservation Action
- Transitioning to Nature-Positive Economies and Societies
Rationale for interactive session format
The session will begin with an interactive exploration of real-world case studies, where
participants engage in facilitated discussions to analyze agroecological NbS in different
contexts. Inspired by these insights, participants will take part in a collaborative mapping
exercise, where break-out groups, moderated by the co-organizers, identify the most pressing
high-impact actions required to scale agroecological NbS in the water-soil-biodiversity nexus
over the next five years. The World-Café-inspired discussions will then be synthesized in a final
plenary session, outlining actionable steps to develop a roadmap of high-impact actions that
advance the objectives of the IUCN motion on agroforestry and soil biodiversity.
Partner organizations:
• Agroecology Coalition
• Biovision
• WWF – UAE
• French Water Partnership
• Up2Green
• IUCN French Committee
• GIZ
• IUCN Secretariat
• IUCN French Committee