NATIONAL INFORMATION SHARING MECHANISM
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture - Samoa
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INTRODUCTION
WHAT IS THE NATIONAL MECHANISM ?
It is an information network for monitoring activities carried out to implement the Global Plan of Action (GPA) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) in Samoa (PNG).
The Mechanism has been officially established in 2004 after the first diagnostic on the state of GPA implementation in the country was undertaken by using a list of indicators recommended by the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Its database serves as a working instrument for the National PGR Committee and for national institutions for drafting strategies and plans.
WHAT IS THE MECHANISM USEFUL FOR?
The Mechanism is used in a transparent way to:
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facilitate access to and analysis of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) information, |
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assist decision-making processes, |
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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 PNG Country Report on the State of PGRFA has been prepared. It will be submitted to the FAO Commission on PGRFA , as the PNG contribution to the implementation of the Global Plan Action (GPA) .
WHAT INSTRUMENTS DOES THE MECHANISM USE?
A set of tools agreed by the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture:
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a list of indicators and a reporting format to monitor the implementation of the Global Plan of Action; and |
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an information system including a database and a search engine, whihc includes the most comprehensive inventory of national PGRFA-related institutions, experts, publications, laws and projects, as well as of cultivated varieties. |
This database may serve national institutions as a working instrument for drafting strategies and plans.
HOW DOES IT OPERATE?
Through the voluntary contribution of 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 Samoa can be part of the Mechanism.