Subsidiary bodies

Sectoral working groups

The Commission may establish intergovernmental technical working groups, with appropriate geographical balance, to assist in specific areas of genetic resources.

The purpose of these “sectoral working groups” is to review the status of biodiversity in the areas under their respective competences and issues related to its management, to advise and make recommendations to the Commission on these matters, to consider progress made in implementing the Commission's programme of work and to address any other matters referred to them by the Commission.

The Commission, so far, has established the following intergovernmental technical working groups:

• Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG AnGR)
• Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG AqGR)
• Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources (WG FGR)
• Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Microorganism and Invertebrate Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG MIGR)
• Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG PGR) 

Other subsidiary bodies

The Commission may also establish subsidiary bodies other than sectoral working groups as it may deem necessary for the effective discharge of its functions.

The Commission, so far, has established the following other subsidiary bodies:

• Team of Technical and Legal Experts of Access and Benefit-sharing (TTLE ABS)
• Ad Hoc Expert Team on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture (ET BFA)