FAO is pleased to announce the release of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation, Sustainable Use and Development of Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GPA).

The GPA, which was developed following extensive consultation with Members, including National Focal Points (NFPs), was endorsed by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and adopted by the FAO Council at its 168^th Session in December 2021.

It supports the effective management of aquatic genetic resources and presents 21 strategic priorities as well as an extensive list of actions that countries can adopt to enhance the conservation, sustainable use and development of aquatic biodiversity. The GPA is voluntary and non-binding but represents a key framework to support countries in improving the management of aquatic biodiversity.

Political will is now required to identify and implement effective actions, while mobilizing the resources needed to deliver key advances in the management of AqGR. Countries are invited to focus on different priorities and actions depending on the current status of their aquatic genetic resources.

To help improve knowledge and information on aquatic genetic resources, FAO has also developed AquaGRIS, a global information system which collects, organizes and shares global data and information on wild stocks and farmed types of aquaculture species.

AquaGRIS is currently a prototype with data on a subset of species. FAO is developing a fully-fledged version with an updated, expanded and more user-friendly interface for uploading information. Members are invited to review the prototype to have an understanding of the type of information available on AquaGRIS.

FAO is also keen to hear from NFPs interested in using AquaGRIS and contributing data that will expand its database on genetic resources - an important precursor to implementing key elements of the Global Plan of Action. FAO is ready to support Members and will also organize specific initiatives to further raise awareness about these new tools.

AquaGRIS offers enormous potential to improve aquatic biodiversity management for a more effective global response to emerging challenges in fisheries and aquaculture, such as the need to conserve and sustainably manage aquatic biodiversity.