As we begin the year 2025, I am pleased to reflect on on the achievements and challenges of the past year and to share my hopes for the year ahead, noting, in particular, the significant milestone in the history of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. In 2024, we celebrated the 20th anniversary of the Treaty’s entry-into-force — two decades of collective efforts to conserve, share, and safeguard the seeds and other vital regenerative materials that nourish the world. During that time, the Treaty has transformed from a seedling of mere text into a dynamic, operational, effective global entity that is widely acknowledged as the go-to global forum for all matters relating to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. With the collective efforts of our Contracting Parties and other stakeholders, the International Treaty has continued to flourish in its role as the global governance forum in the context of the plants that feed the world.
Notably, partnerships with stakeholders across governments, international organizations, civil society, and the private sector have grown, and I am encouraged by the increasing recognition of the Treaty as a key instrument in building resilient, sustainable, and equitable food systems.
The Plant Treaty is now well-established as the platform for nations to collaborate in ensuring that plant genetic resources are available for both current and future generations. Through partnerships and the equitable sharing of benefits, we have made tremendous strides in contributing to global food security, building resilience against climate change, enhancing agricultural biodiversity, and empowering farmers and communities worldwide.
It boasts the largest global exchange mechanism for PGRFA in the form of the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing, which has also become a model for others to follow; a Global Information System, linking other PGRFA databases to provide essential data for researchers and plant breeders worldwide; a leading entity for providing guidance in the realization of Farmers’ Rights around the world; a growing Benefit-sharing Fund, which continues to support PGRFA management in developing countries and building links between the local and the global systems and communities; and a supportive global community for all matters concerning PGRFA Conservation and Sustainable Use. It is no wonder that the International Treaty is considered one of FAO’s top 10 accomplishments in the 80 years since the FAO was established.
Looking ahead, we are excited about the upcoming Eleventh Session of the Governing Body (GB-11), which will take place in November 2025 in Lima, Peru. This session will be historic and consequential, as it will chart the future direction of the Treaty, including the continued enhancement of the MLS, implementation of the Funding Strategy, and further alignment with global frameworks such as the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
It will also be the first time the Governing Body meets in Latin America, and the first time it is co-hosted by two Contracting Parties, Peru and Switzerland. I would, once again, like to express my sincere gratitude and appreciation to the governments of Peru and Switzerland for their spirit of collaboration that has become the hallmark of the Treaty community.
GB-11 will provide a pivotal opportunity to build on our achievements over the past two decades and chart the course for the next phase of our work, further strengthening our collective commitment to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for the benefit of all. When we gather in Lima later this year, we will have a unique opportunity to demonstrate bold leadership and collective ambition to ensure the Treaty continues to fulfill its mandate. The choices we make will determine how effectively we can support farmers, researchers, and all stakeholders who depend on the world’s rich plant genetic diversity to tackle the twin challenges of hunger and environmental change.
As we embark on the next phase of the Treaty’s life, I encourage all Contracting Parties and stakeholders to continue working together, guided by the spirit of collaboration and solidarity that has defined our progress. Together, we can build on the progress of the past 20 years and continue to advance the global goal of securing a sustainable and food-secure future for all.
@PlantTreaty
#ItAllStartsWithTheSeed