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On October 2nd , after a summer break, the G77 and China had their September Plenary Meeting in the Red Room at FAO headquarters, chaired by the Ambassador of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, H.E. Elías Eljuri Abraham. Among the different points addressed was the "International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)" and for this occasion the Group has invited Mr. Kent Nnadozie, current Secretary of this Treaty.
Plant Genetic Resources has been defined by FAO as any material of plant origin, including reproductive and vegetative propagation material which contains functional units of heredity and which has real or potential value for food and agriculture. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, adopted in 2001, is a global response to promote the conservation of plant genetic resources and to protect the rights of farmers to access and receive a fair and equitable distribution of benefits arising from the use of these resources. The sustainable use of plant genetic resources is important for achieving food security and nutrition and for the progressive achievement of the right to food.
ITPGRFA is particularly well placed to help advance in the achievement of several of the 2030 Sustainable Development Goals, especially Objectives 2.5 and 15.6 with respect to the promotion of agriculture. Secretary Nnadozie in his intervention, talked about the upcoming Meeting of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, to be held in Kigali (Rwanda) from October 30 to November 3 this year. Nnadozie commented on the importance of this meeting, since today more than ever all countries are interdependent when speaking about Plant Genetic Resources. The meeting of Kigali, will deal with points such as the possible amendment of the International Treaty; Funding Strategy, Benefit-sharing Fund and 4th Call for Proposals; Sustainable Farmers Rights, 2030 Sustainable Development Agenda; Program of Work and Budget; World Information System on PGRFA. Secretary Nnadozie also commented that six new countries have joined the International Treaty: Antigua and Barbuda; Argentina; Bolivia; Chile; Guyana; Tuvalu and U.S.
The members were very interested and grateful for the presentation of Secretary Nnadozie and pledged to participate in the Rwanda meeting.