The Global Plan of Action is a framework for action at community, national, regional and international levels  to create an efficient system for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources, through better cooperation, coordination, planning and capacity building.  It was adopted by 150 countries in 1996, through the Leipzig Declaration at the FAO International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources held in Leipzig, Germany. It  is an essential component of the FAO Global System of Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of PGRFA.

The Main Objectives of the Global Plan of Action’s are to:

• ensure the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture as the basis of food security,
• promote sustainable use of plant genetic resources to foster development and reduce hunger and poverty,
• promote the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of plant genetic resources,
• assist countries and institutions to identify priorities for action,
• strengthen existing programmes and enhance institutional capacity

While the Global Plan of Action is essentially a country driven process, we provide technical assistance to member countries on request. In addition AGP is responsible for monitoring and facilitating the implementation of the Global Plan of Action through the preparation on periodic reports on the status of PGRFA and by establishing the National Information Sharing Mechanism for the Implementation of the Global Plan of Action.

In 2000, a Facilitating Mechanism was established to foster implementation of the Global Plan of Action.  Subsequently it became The Supporting Component of the International Treat on PGRFA and provides the priority basis for the funding strategy of the Treaty.