The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources calls on FAO to provide technical guidance and assistance to countries in their work on animal genetic resources. Since the adoption of the Global Plan of Action in 2007, FAO has prepared a series of guideline publications on various aspects of animal genetic resources management.

Guidelines are drafted and reviewed by technical experts. The drafts are submitted for consideration by the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources. After advice from the working group has been taken into account, the drafts are submitted to the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for endorsement.