The First International Multi-stakeholder Symposium on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture highlights the current state of knowledge of crop diversity and the enabling environment for its in situ conservation and on-farm management. It provides an open-ended forum for the exchange of information and experiences among technical experts, practitioners and other stakeholders.

The Commission endorses the Voluntary Guidelines for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Farmers’ Varieties/Landraces, which are intended as reference materials for preparing a National Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Farmers’ Varieties/Landraces and will help address the continuing loss of crop diversity. The guidelines are therefore a useful tool for development practitioners, researchers, students and policy-makers who work on the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable resources.

The Commission endorses the Voluntary Guidelines for National Level Conservation of Crop Wild Relatives and Wild Food Plants, which are intended as reference material for national governments preparing a National Plan for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Crop Wild Relatives and Wild Food Plants.

Publication of the Guidelines For Developing a National Strategy for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: Translating the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture into National Action to assist countries to implement the Second Global Plan of Action in harmony with other relevant national and international commitments. Taking account of the country’s particular needs, capacities and constraints, a national strategy for plant genetic resources should identify a national vision, goals and objectives, and set out a corresponding plan of action, including responsibilities, resources, and timeframes for activities relevant to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

Publication of the Voluntary Guide for National Seed Policy Formulation, which explain what seed policies are and how they differ from seed laws, describe the participatory process of seed policy formulation, the nature and layout of seed policy documents and key elements contained in seed policies, and address issues involved in the implementation of seed policies.

The Commission endorses the Genebank Standards for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. These voluntary standards set the benchmark for current scientific and technical best practices and support the key international policy instruments for the conservation and use of plant genetic resources.

The Commission, at its Thirteenth Regular Session, endorses the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which is subsequently adopted by the FAO Council at its 143rd Session.

FAO launches The Second Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture based on 113 country reports.

First Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture takes place.

FAO Conference adopts, through Resolution 3/2001, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and Interim Arrangements for its Implementation.

WIEWS, the World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, is established by FAO as a global information system on plant genetic resources facilitating information exchange as well as periodic assessments of the state of the world’s plant genetic resources. Through an agreed monitoring framework based on indicators and composite indices, WIEWS assists countries to measure progress in the implementation of all the priority activities of the Global Plan of Action and towards Target 2.5 of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The Commission, at its Seventh Regular Session, establishes the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

On the occasion of the 4th International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources, FAO launches The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture based on 154 country reports. The Conference also adopts the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The FAO Conference adopts Resolution 7/93 Revision of the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources. The revision will lead, in 2001, to the adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The FAO Conference adopts Resolution 3/91 Annex 3 to the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources.

The FAO Conference adopts Resolution 4/89 Agreed Interpretation of the International Undertaking and Resolution 5/89 Farmers’ Rights.

The FAO Conference, through Resolution 3/83, adopts the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, which provide a policy and planning framework for the Commission with respect to plant genetic resources.