Plant Genetic Resources
Global System on Plant Genetic Resources
The development of the Global System on Plant Genetic Resources began in 1983 with the establishment of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources (now the Comission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - CGRFA). The objectives of the Global System are to ensure the safe conservation, and promote the availability and sustainable use of plant genetic resources by providing a flexible framework for sharing the benefits and burdens. The CGRFA, with its Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, monitors and coordinates the development of the Global System.
Two key elements of the Global System are:
- The Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources;
- The Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
The first Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources
was prepared through a participatory, country-driven process. It assessed the state of plant genetic diversity, and capacities at the local and global levels for in situ and ex situ management, conservation and utilization of plant genetic resources. The Report was presented to the Fourth International Technical Conference held in Leipzig, Germany, in June 1996. A Global Plan of Action (GPA) was formally adopted by 150 countries through the Leipzig Declaration. The GPA comprises a set of activities covering capacity-building, and the in situ and ex situ conservation of plant genetic resources. It is a rolling plan that is monitored, reviewed and updated by the CGRFA.
In addition to these two elements, the Global System comprises international aggreements, a variety of codes of conduct, scientific standards, technical mechanisms and global instruments for plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. The structure of the Global System is shown below, and details on each component can be accessed by clicking on it.
Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
The CGRFA established a subsidiary Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG-PGR) at its Seventh Session, in May 1997, to address issues specific to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.The members of the Working Group are elected every two years, during the regular sessions of the CGRFA. The terms of reference and activities of the Working Group are described in its Statutes.
The meetings of the Working Group are held when required and no more than once annually. The documents for each meeting can be accessed by clicking on the title of the meeting listed below.
International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources