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In December 2006, the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources convened in Rome for its fourth session. The Working Group made a series of recommendations to FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture on how best to address opportunities and challenges for animal genetic resources through international policy measures. The finalization of The State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, and the upcoming International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources, to be held in September this year in Interlaken, Switzerland, make 2007 an important year for intergovernmental policy-making in the area of animal genetic resources.
The draft of The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the first ever global assessment of the status and trends of animal genetic resources, and the capacity of countries to manage these, was presented to the Working Group. The Working Group asked FAO to revise the document on the basis of comments provided by countries. The final version is expected to be approved in June by the Commission, for publication and presentation at the Interlaken Conference.
The Working Group recommended that the Interlaken Conference, in addition to the presentation of The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, negotiate and adopt a Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, as its main outcome. This Global Plan of Action will be based on the Strategic Priorities for Action, which was prepared together with The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and reflects national, regional and international priorities for action. It addresses four main areas for action: characterization, inventory and monitoring, sustainable use and development, conservation, and policies institutions and capacity building. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture will convene in June, in Rome, to review the various elements of the Global Plan of Action for the Interlaken Conference. | 
