Project – TCP/BYE/3601
Belarus has prioritized agriculture, water and forestry as key sectors for adaptation to climate change, with special attention being given to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) through the State Programme, "Mobilization and Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources of the National Bank for Breeding, Enriching of Cultivated and Natural Flora of Belarus". However, implementation of the programme has been slow. In addition, Belarus is not a contracting party to the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Breeding centres and institutes in the country depend on material from abroad; membership of ITPGRFA would facilitate the exchange of such material and the establishment of good relations with foreign institutes and companies. A further significant obstacle to effective conservation is the absence of PGR inventories.