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Sustainable use, development and conservation of the world’s livestock genetic resources are of vital importance to agriculture, food production, rural development and the environment. In recognition of the need to develop an effective framework for the management of these resources and to address the threat of genetic erosion, 109 countries came together in September 2007 at the first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture held in Interlaken, Switzerland. The Conference adopted the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources – which includes 23 strategic priorities for action to promote the wise management of these vital resources.

The Global Plan of Action is the outcome of a country-driven process of reporting, analysis and discussion, which also resulted in the preparation of The State of the World’s Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, the first comprehensive global assessment of livestock diversity and its management.

The Conference also adopted the Interlaken Declaration on Animal Genetic Resources, which affirms countries’ commitment to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action and to ensuring that the world’s livestock biodiversity is utilized to promote global food security and remains available to future generations.

By the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.