Learn how FAO assesses the genetic conservation of plants and animals

On the occasion of the International Day for Biological Diversity, take the opportunity to learn how FAO assesses the genetic conservation of plants and animals. Protecting the planet’s biodiversity is a critical pillar of the Sustainable Development Goal Agenda, and FAO strives to ensure that these considerations are integrated into food and agriculture agendas globally. In its role as custodian agency for 21 SDG indicators, FAO has launched several e-learning courses, including one on assessing plant and animal genetic resources.

This self-paced, free online course is primarily intended for those involved in the process of monitoring and reporting on the SDG Indicators 2.5.1.a (Number of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in medium or long term conservation facilities), 2.5.1.b (Number of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture secured in medium or long term conservation facilities) and 2.5.2 (Proportion of local breeds classified as being at risk of extinction). Available in English, French and Spanish, it illustrates the importance protecting genetic resources of seeds, cultivated plants and farmed and domesticated animals and their related wild species for SDG 2 and for other SDGs, and provides basic information on the process and the tools that countries will use to monitor Indicators 2.5.1 and 2.5.2. It also describes monitoring activities related to the Domesticated Animal Diversity Information System (DAD-IS) and the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.