The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

In 1996, the first report on The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was welcomed by 150 countries at the Leipzig International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources as the first comprehensive worldwide assessment of the status of plant genetic resource conservation and use. The conference also adopted the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

In 2009, the Commission endorsed The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The second report is an update of the first report and analyses the status and trends of plant genetic resources and their use, in situ management and ex situ conservation. It also addresses the state of relevant programmes, training needs and legislation at national level. It highlights the contributions of plant genetic diversity to food security, poverty alleviation, and sustainable agriculture.

The Third Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, published in 2025, is based on information from 128 countries and four regional and 13 international research centres and contributions from over 1 600 experts. It presents an overview of progress since 2012 in the management of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and of current needs and challenges in this field. The report provides a basis for recalibrating relevant policies and strategies, including the rolling Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.