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International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture


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The International Treaty, an insurance policy for the plants that feed the world

The objectives of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture are the conservation and sustainable use of all plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, for sustainable agriculture and food security.   

Themes

Upcoming meetings

5/10

2026

7/10

2026

Eleventh meeting of the Ad Hoc Technical Committee on Conservation and Sustainable Use (ACSU-11)
Virtual Event, 05/10/2026 - 07/10/2026

  

8/12

2026

11/12

2026

Thirteenth meeting of the Standing Committee on the Funding Strategy and Resource Mobilisation (SFC-13)
Rome (Italy), 08/12/2026 - 11/12/2026

  

15/3

2027

16/3

2027

Seventh meeting of the Compliance Committee (CC-7)
Rome (Italy), 15/03/2027 - 16/03/2027

Dates to be confirmed.

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News

Bureau of the International Treaty meets in Rome to advance preparations for the Twelfth Governing Body
23/09/2026
The Bureau of the Twelfth Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) held its third meeting today at FAO headquarters in Rome. Chaired by Fernanda Millicay Resquín (Argentina), representing the Latin America and the Caribbean Group (GRULAC), the meeting marked the first time the Bureau has met in person during the current intersessional period, following two virtual meetings held earlier in 2026.  
International Treaty participates in dialogue on strengthening links between genebanks, regional collections and farmers in Italy
18/09/2026
Representatives of the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) participated in a visit to Bari, Italy, hosted by the Institute of Biosciences and Bioresources of the National Research Council of Italy (CNR-IBBR) and CIHEAM Bari, to discuss plant genetic resources and strengthen cooperation among research institutions, regional collections and farming communities.
Expert Group Advances Action Plan to Support the Implementation of Farmers' Rights
04/09/2026
The Ad Hoc Technical Expert Group on Farmers’ Rights (Expert Group or AHTEG-FR) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture convened this week at FAO Headquarters in Rome for its seventh meeting, with a principal focus on reviewing the Draft Action Plan to support the implementation of Farmers' Rights, as set out in Article 9 of the International Treaty.
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Videos

GB-11 Begins in Peru: Video Montage from the First Two Days
29/11/2025

The Governing Body of the International Plant Treaty convenes in Lima, Peru for its Eleventh Session (GB-11), first time in Latin America & first...

Cultivating a Shared Future
29/11/2025

This video highlights how the International Plant Treaty helps foster biodiversity and food security, preserve heritage and cultivate a shared future....

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Treaty Talks

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is an international agreement between Contracting Parties (member countries and the European Union) to conserve, use and manage plant genetic resources for food and agriculture around the world. The “Treaty Talks” podcast series includes discussions with various stakeholders, exploring topics that relate to the International Treaty, such as its Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing, the Global Information System and the implementation of Farmers’ Rights. 

02/05/2022