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On the basis of discussions
in plenary and in working groups, the meeting made the following
recommendations:
(1) Strengthening
National Programmes, Strategies and Policies
26. Noting the commitments
made by governments in the Leipzig Declaration and Global
Plan of Action, and in decision III/11 of the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity, it
was agreed that each country should formulate a national strategy
and/or plan on PGRFA, particularly for the implementation
of the GPA according to national needs, and that this plan
should be part of or in harmony with national biodiversity
strategy and action plans. FAO, in collaboration with IPGRI
and other organizations, is requested to encourage and assist
countries to develop GPA/PGRFA plans and strategies.
27. It was noted that
according to the new operational criteria of GEF for enabling
activities, countries could add consideration of agrobiodiversity
issues, including PGRFA, to their new or ongoing biodiversity
strategies and action plans, and seek additional funding for
this component from GEF.
28. National PGRFA
plans and strategies should also be integrated in national
development and agricultural sector plans.
29. High priority should
be given by all countries to establishing or strengthening
national programmes on PGRFA. These should encompass all PGRFA
activities including plant breeding and other forms of utilization,
and not be limited to genebank operations.
30. The following additional
points were noted concerning national programmes:
- coordination
is very important, with a strong link with all concerned stakeholders,
and mechanisms for coordination with national and international
organizations;
- all countries should have National PGR Committees, or similar
coordinating mechanisms, involving all concerned parties,
and with high level participation including key decision makers.
The committee should have clear terms of reference and regular
meetings;
- PGR units or facilities should be improved where required
to meet national needs. They should be located so that they
can serve the whole country. They should have clear responsibilities
and programmes, and be coordinated with other parts of the
national programmes;
- appropriate legislation on PGR should be developed;
- emphasis should
be given to improving public awareness and awareness of policy
makers;
- human resources development should be strengthened, to improve
the availability of qualified staff, through training programmes,
use of experts from the region etc. Attention should be given
to improving staff motivation to avoid attrition;
-national programmes require secure and sustainable finance,
drawing upon local and international sources. There is also
a need for an international funding mechanism.
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