Semedo has over two decades of experience in food policy, sustainable development, and international cooperation.
Maria Helena Semedo will deliver the opening address at the First International Congress on Biodiversity and Agriculture, a forum promoted by SEO/BirdLife within the framework of the LIFE Olivares Vivos+ project, to be held in Jaén in mid-April. Her career, marked by decades of work focused on food policy, sustainable development, and international cooperation, positions her as a unique and relevant voice to open a space for reflection that is so necessary in the current context.
At a time when biodiversity loss is progressing at an alarming rate and agricultural systems face unprecedented challenges, from climate change to soil degradation, having a figure with her experience lends credibility and depth to the debate. Semedo has not only witnessed the evolution of global food and agriculture policies, but has also actively participated in shaping them, promoting integrated approaches that link agricultural production with the conservation of natural resources.
In this regard, his role as the opening speaker, which will take place on April 14 at 7:45 p.m. in the auditorium of the Iberian Museum of Jaén, is a unique opportunity to articulate a clear vision on the urgency of transforming agri-food systems toward more resilient and sustainable models, and to highlight the need to connect science, policy, and action. Semedo will therefore be a source of practical inspiration for researchers, policymakers, farmers, and organizations.
Furthermore, his presence at this congress sends a powerful message about the importance of international cooperation, and about how the challenges associated with biodiversity and agriculture know no borders and require coordinated responses at a global level. On the other hand, her leadership as a woman in high-level positions adds further value by highlighting the importance of diversity in decision-making.
Maria Helena Semedo is a Cape Verdean economist and politician. A leading expert on global development issues, she has helped shape a new global narrative where the sustainable transformation of agri-food systems is prominently recognized as a key solution for addressing increasingly complex problems, from climate change and biodiversity loss to urbanization and food security. She has over two decades of experience at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), developing key corporate strategies to address climate change, integrating biodiversity into the agricultural sector, and promoting science and innovation.
