How the Netherlands Agricultural Network contributes to global biodiversity protection
The Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) actively supports biodiversity conservation, sustainable use, and fair benefit-sharing, integrating these goals into Dutch water, agriculture, and climate projects.
Coinciding with the 16th Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP16), LAN released a new edition of its 'Agrospecial' e-magazine highlighting LAN's key biodiversity initiatives and showcasing exemplary efforts by its agricultural counsellors.
Collaboration is key in addressing the complex relationship between biodiversity, water, soil, and agriculture. By making biodiversity in bilateral cooperation mainstream, the Netherlands shapes policies and creates solutions that can be shared internationally.
The Netherlands Agricultural Network (LAN) is a worldwide network of agricultural counsellors connecting Dutch products, services, knowledge and innovations to global challenges. LAN also supports Dutch agricultural organisations to find business opportunities in the agriculture, nature and food sectors. Agricultural councils, agricultural attachés and locally hired agricultural form the LAN teams at Dutch embassies, consulates and Permanent Representations abroad. Currently, LAN serves more than 70 countries, on behalf of the Ministry of Agriculture, Nature and Food Quality.
LAN plays a vital role in integrating biodiversity in bilateral cooperation by promoting both biodiversity conservation and its sustainable use. For example, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature stimulates agroforestry practices through bilateral and multilateral partnerships, and enables research and innovation in biodiversity and sustainable land use.
Shift from ‘do no harm’ to ‘do good’
As stated in the international strategy of the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, the Netherlands intends to make a shift from ‘do no harm’ to ‘do good’, advocating for proactive measures such as reforestation and habitat restoration, and promoting sustainable practices that boost biodiversity.
Agrospecial e-magazine
The latest edition of LAN’s digital magazine, Agrospecials, focuses on the vital role of biodiversity in agriculture and nature, and showcases the proactive role of the Netherland Agricultural Network in the protection and sustainable use of biodiversity worldwide.
Through a series of interviews and news articles, the magazine provides an update on current efforts of the LAN team in Europe, Africa, Americas, Asia and the Middle East. Some of the highlighted activities include establishing a German-Dutch dialogue on cross-border biodiversity; its involvement in several projects aimed at connecting agricultural productivity with environmental conservation in Argentina; and, the financial and technical support given to empower communities in Egypt and Jordan to counter desertification.