Opening Ceremony of the 1st International Congress on Biodiversity and Agriculture Held
The Auditorium of the Iberian Museum of Jaén hosted the opening of the 1st International Congress on Biodiversity and Agriculture, an event that brings together in Jaén, from April 14 to 17, institutional representatives, researchers, and professionals from the agricultural sector with the aim of addressing the need to integrate biodiversity into the design of agricultural production systems. This forum is promoted by SEO/BirdLife within the framework of the LIFE Olivares Vivos+ project.
The inaugural ceremony was conducted by journalist Olivia Aranda and began with the screening of the video “What Remains”, a tribute to those who work the land and contribute to building a living territory. After the screening, the opening panel took place, featuring the participation of the Executive Director of SEO/BirdLife, Asunción Ruiz; the Rector of the University of Jaén, Nicolás Ruiz Reyes; the Executive Director of the International Olive Council, Jaime Lillo; the Councillor for Economic Promotion and Trade of the Jaén City Council, Isabel Cano Caballero; the Provincial Deputy for the Environment of the Jaén Provincial Council, Isabel Uceda; the Deputy Representative of the Government of Spain in Jaén, Manuel Fernández Palomino; the Minister for Sustainability and Environment of the Andalusian Regional Government, Catalina García; and the Third Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for the Environment and Demographic Challenge, Sara Aagesen.
During their speeches, the authorities highlighted that Jaén was chosen as the venue because this province is a globally emblematic olive-growing region and the setting where the Olivares Vivos model was developed—an innovative initiative that has demonstrated under real conditions that the recovery of biodiversity can go hand in hand with agricultural profitability.
“Biodiversity is not a limit to production”
Next, the conference’s inaugural lecture was delivered by Maria Helena Semedo, former Deputy Director-General of the FAO and one of the most influential international voices on the relationship between agriculture, sustainability, and development. Her lecture, titled ‘Biodiversity as the Foundation of Food Systems: Rethinking Production for a Sustainable Future’, argued that biodiversity is not a limit to production but its structural foundation. In this sense, she emphasized the dependence of agri-food systems on biodiversity at all levels—ecosystems, species, and genetic diversity.
The second day included the participation of the Minister of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, Luis Planas, who stressed the importance of holding such forums to promote the transition toward a more sustainable agricultural model. The sessions on Wednesday and Thursday will also include various presentations and round tables to explore in depth the practical implementation of biodiversity-based agricultural models, their economic viability, and the conditions required for their integration into the agri-food system, along with the exhibition of 63 scientific posters selected from more than 120 international contributions received. The congress will conclude on April 17 with a field visit to a demonstration farm and an olive mill.
