INTRODUCTION
 FAO-Government Cooperative Project GCP/RAS/186/JPN, Implementation of the Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in Asia and the Pacific Region
The Project became operational in June 2003 with its office based at the FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific in Bangkok. The project has seven member countries - Bangladesh, India, Malaysia, Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam. It aims to promote the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) and to contribute to establishing a National Information Sharing Mechanism on the implementation of GPA for gathering and sharing information, monitoring and priority setting for the implementation of the GPA. The project is generously funded by the Government of Japan. An immediate task is to establish a National Information Sharing Mechansim in each country and at the same time promote the implementation of the GPA, especially in in situ conservation. Further details about this project, can be obtained from the Chief Technical Advisor of the project ([email protected]) or the Philippines national coordinator([email protected]).
What's the National Mechanism and what information does it focus on?
It is a network of public and private institutions which conserve and/or use plant genetic resources in the Philippines.
Its objective is to share information related to Philippines plant genetic resources and, in particular, to the implementation of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) in the Philippines.
What is the Mechanism useful for?
The Mechanism is used in a transparent way to facilitate access to and analysis of information, to assist decison-making processes, and to conserve the country's historical memory on PGRFA. It also offers an opportunity to the participating institutions to highlight their efforts, contribute to decision-making processes and to widen their visibility at national and international levels.
Based on the information available through this Mechanism, a strategic report on the state of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in the country is being prepared. It will be submitted to the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture as the Philippines contribution to the preparation of the Second Report on the State fot he World's Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture .
What instruments does the Mechanism use?
A set of tools agreed by the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:
How does it operate?
Through the voluntary contribution of NN national institutions, coordinated by the GPA National Focal Point in collaboration with the National PGR Committee.
Who can participate into the Mechanism and how?
All stakeholders, specifically, public or private institutions, organizations, enterprises which contribute to the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in the country can be part of the Mechanism by contacting the National Focal Point:
Mr. Clarito M. Barron
Assistant Director
Bureau of Plant Industry, Department of Agriculture
Manila
692 San Andres Street, Malate, Manila - 1004
Telephone: (632) 525-3470 Facsimile: (632) 523-0765
Email: 
|
