Biological diversity is the basis for agriculture, forestry and fisheries.
FAO is the United Nations specialized agency responsible for food and agriculture, including foresty and fisheries. In carrying out this part of its mandate as regards the biotic natural resource base, FAO concentrates its technical competence on those living resources which are currently known to be of use to humanity, especially for food and agricultue including fisheries and forestry. UN work on biodiversity started in FAO in the early 1950s. FAO is thus the principal repository in the UN System of expertise on biodiversity for food and agriculture. It assists its member countries in the definition of policies for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources in food and agriculture through national programmes and projects.