The Convention on Biological Diversity was inspired by the world community's growing commitment to sustainable development. It represents a dramatic step forward in the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing [...]

The Commission provides the only permanent forum for governments to discuss and negotiate matters specifically relevant to biological diversity for food and agriculture. Its functions: - The CGRFA has a coordinating role and deals with policy, sectorial and cross-sectorial matters related to [...]

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) established a subsidiary Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITWG-PGR) in 1997, to address issues specific to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. [...]

The Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources was established by the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 1997. The Secretariat of the ITWG AnGR lies with the Animal Production and Health Division (NSA) in FAO Headquarters. The role [...]

The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), established a subsidiary Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources (ITWG-FGR) at its Twelfth Regular Session in 2009. The purpose of the Working Group is to review the situation [...]

The Joint FAO/WHO Expert Meetings on Microbiological Risk Assessment (JEMRA) began in 2000 in response to requests from the Codex Alimentarius Commission and FAO and WHO Member Countries and the increasing need for risk based scientific advice on microbiological food [...]