NCP GB12-005 – Article 9 – Experiences

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Through Resolution 6/2025, the Governing Body, inter alia, renewed its call for Contracting Parties and other stakeholders to continue sharing practical experiences on the realization of Farmers’ Rights under Articl...

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture joined global partners at Crop Diversity Day 2026, held during Climate Week NYC at the New York Botanical Garden (NYBG), to promote stronger collaboration for the conservation and sustainable use of food plant diversity.

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.  

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.

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.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has published a new eLearning course on the Global Information System (GLIS), reinforcing global efforts to enhance data management and interoperability for plant genetic resources.

NCP GB12-004 – Compliance

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I have the honour to draw your attention to Resolution 7/2025, Compliance, by which the Governing Body invited all Contracting Parties to continue submittin...

NCP GB12-003 – Desk Study – comments

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The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture wishes to draw attention to the invitation made by the Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Grou...

NCP GB12-002 – GPA – Comments

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The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture wishes to draw attention to the invitation made by the Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Pl...

The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), in collaboration with the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, is inviting experts worldwide to participate in a consultation process aimed at developing a strategic set of key characterization and evaluation descriptors for oats (Avena spp.).

The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture highlighted the vital role of crop wild relatives (CWRs) in strengthening food security, supporting climate adaptation and enhancing the resilience of agrifood systems at the opening of the Second International Crop Wild Relatives Symposium

The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture presented its Report on activities relevant to the work of the Thirteenth Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG-PGRFA)

Ukraine has deposited its instrument of accession to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and will become the 156th Contracting Party (member) of the International Treaty.

The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture today marks 22 years since its entry into force (2004–2026), celebrating over two decades of international cooperation to conserve, sustainably use and share the plant diversity that underpins food security and resilient agrifood systems.

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault opened its doors for the second time this year, adding over 15 000 new seed samples. This marks a major milestone for the Seed Vault. Its collection has now surpassed 1.4 million seed samples, each stored as a safeguard for the future of food and humanity.

Saint Lucia hosted a regional workshop on 27 and 28 May 2025, bringing together experts and regional institutions to address key issues related to the conservation and management of plant genetic resources.

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture has released a landmark publication, A comprehensive analysis of the operations of the Multilateral System – Insights and key figures 2025. 

How can botanical gardens and agricultural gene banks help turn conserved plant diversity into positive changes for food systems?  This question was at the heart of a workshop held today at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

NCP GB12-001 GB11 Follow-ups

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Further to the publication of the Report and Resolutions of the Eleventh Session of the Governing Body, I have the honour to draw your attention to those decisions that are addressed to Contracting Parties or that have direct...

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault has been nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize, in recognition of its role in safeguarding the world’s crop diversity and strengthening the foundations of global food security. The nomination also acknowledges the organizations supporting this global effort: NordGen, FAO, Crop Trust and CGIAR.