FAO hosted the first Steering Committee to discuss the implementation of the Near East and North Africa Plan of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resource for Agriculture.

The Treaty NENA Action Plan addresses water, plant genetic resources and food security in the region and has a Benefit-Sharing Fund (BSF) that invests in high impact projects, technology transfer and capacity building - all aimed at supporting developing countries in the conservation and use of plant genetics.

The Treaty’s BSF has already supported two rounds of projects around the world, benefiting the lives and livelihoods of over 17000 farmers. Projects are still on-going in 33 countries across Africa, Asia, Near East, Latin America and the Caribbean and are expected to boost the daily lives of over 500,000 people. The Treaty is currently reviewing submissions made under the third round of Calls for Proposals.