1. The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Training Workshop
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture – The conservation of Crop Wild Relatives in Armenia
Yerevan, 15 December 2005

2. The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
FAO has a history of actions and programmes for the conservation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
In 1983 FAO created the “Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”
Objective: ensure the safe conservation, and promote the availability and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture by providing a flexible framework for sharing the benefits and burdens.
Almost since its origin, FAO has implemented actions and programmes for the conservation of plant genetic resources. With the development of programmes on agrobiodiversity the need has arisen for a formal framework of action and cooperation in this sphere. It was for this reason that, in 1983, FAO established the "Global System for the Conservation and Utilisation of Plant Genetic Resources". The system rests on two foundations: a legal text – the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources – and an institutional instrument – the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources (now the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), which were later to be joined by technical, financial and operational instruments.
The Global System is aimed to ensure the safe conservation, and promote the availability and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture for present and future generations, by providing a flexible framework for sharing the benefits and burdens.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

3. The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Intergovernmental Institution
Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Normative Instruments
International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Global Instruments
Global Mechanisms
Codes of conduct and
international standards
In this presentation I will show the different component elements of the FAO Global System, and its potential contribution to the implementation of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Intergovernmental forum: Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
International Agreement: International Treaty on PGRFA
Global Instruments: Report on the State of the World’s PGRFA; Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of PGRFA
Global Mechanisms: International Network of ex situ collections, International networks on PGRFA, World Information and Early Warning System
Codes of Conduct and international standards: Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer; Standards and guidelines for genebanks.
All this elements are at the service of international cooperation and for establishing agreements in areas of common interest to the members of the Commission.
International Network of
ex situ collections under
the Auspices of FAO
Report on the State of
the World’s PGRFA
International Code of
Conduct for Plant
Germplasm Collecting
and Transfer
Global Plan of Action
for the Conservation and
Sustainable Utilization
of PGRFA
International Networks
on PGRFA
Genebank Standards
and Guidelines
World Information and
Early Warning System

4. The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Established in 1983 as Commission on Plant Genetic Resources, and renamed as Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in 1995.
Permanent forum where governments discuss and negotiate matters relevant to PGRFA.
Coordinates y monitors the development of the Global System:
reviews issues regarding FAO policy, programmes and activities in the field of genetic resources, and
makes appropriate recommendations to ensure the implementation of the Global System
Created by the FAO Conference in 1983 as Commission on Plant Genetic Resources with the aim to coordinate and supervise the development of the Global System.
The Commission is a permanent intergovermental forum where governments discuss and negotiate matters relevant to PGRFA. At present 167 countries (including Armenia) and the European Community are members of the CGRFA.
Initially limited only to plant genetic resources, the mandate of the Commission was broadened in 1995 by the FAO Conference to include every aspect of genetic resources for food and agriculture, and renamed Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
The Commission supervises and monitors the development of the Global System:
reviews issues regarding FAO policy, programmes and activities in the field of genetic resources, and
makes appropriate recommendations to ensure the implementation of the Global System
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

5. The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
The first wide international agreement on PGRFA was the International Undertaking on Genetic Resources (1983).
The ITPGRFA was approved in 2001 and came into force in 2004
Objective: the conservation and sustainable utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of their use, for a sustainable agriculture and food security
Linked to FAO and to the Convention on
Biological Diversity
The first complete international agreement on PGRFA was the International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources , adopted as a legally non-binding agreement by the FAO Conference in Its purpose was to promote international harmonisation on issues relating to access to PGRFA. It is based on the principle that plant genetic resources, whether wild, bred or cultivated, are the common heritage of humanity. By this token, they must be accessible, without restriction but not without limits. In 1993 FAO started the process of revision of the International Undertaking in order to harmonize it with the Convention on Biological Diversity and to strengthen the compatibility between breeder’s rights and farmer’s rights.
This revision process finally led to the adoption, by consensus, of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture in November The purpose of this Treaty was the conservation and sustainable utilisation of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, for sustainable agriculture and food security.
Aligned to the CBD, the Treaty goes beyond on two crucial aspects for crop biodiversity linked to sustainable development: "facilitated" access to genetic resources, and "fair" and "equitable" benefit-sharing.
At present the IT has 79 parties including: Syria, Lebanon, Jordan (not signed: Iran, Georgia, Turkey, Azerbaiyan)
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

6. The Report on the State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources
The Commission (1989) required the preparation of a report to evaluate the current situation of the plant genetic resources in the World:
describe activities and programmes
identify gaps, constraints and situations of emergency
assist in establishing priorities and ways
to harmonize the global efforts
First Report presented in 1996
Second Report planned for 2008
In 1989, the Commission requested the preparation of a report on the state of the PGRFA at global level, in close collaboratioin with other involved institutions. This report should analyze the current plant genetic resources situation, and describe activities and programmes being carried out by regional, international and non-governmental organisations, with the aim of identifying gaps, constraints and emergency situations.
The first Report, prepared under the coordination of FAO and presented in the Fourth International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources in Leipzig (Germany) in 1996, was received as the first comprehensive report carried out at the worldwide level into plant genetic resources and their use for food and agriculture. Particular emphasis was given to the contribution of PGRFA to food security.
A second Report is planned for 2008, with the aim to evaluate the state of PGRFA in the world to facilitate the analysis of the changes in the gaps and needs. The process of preparation is based on the participation of all countries through national reports on the state of food and agriculture, with the contribution of thematic studies.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

7. The Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Requested by the Commission (1991) as a framework for programmes and activities and aimed at filling in gaps, overcoming constraints and facing emergency situations identified in the Report of the State of the World’s PGRFA.
Adopted in 1996 by 150 countries.
20 activity areas grouped in 4 themes:
in situ conservation and management
ex situ conservation
utilization
institutions and capacity building
In 1991, the Commission requested the preparation of rolling Global Plan of Action on PGRFA, containing programmes and activities aimed at filling in gaps, overcoming constraints and facing emergency situations identified in the Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources. The periodically updated Plan would permit the Commission to recommend priorities and promote the streamlining and coordination of the efforts deployed. The first Plan of Action was drawn up in accordance with the instructions of the Commission at the end of a period of preparation undertaken by the member countries, and in 1996 it was adopted by 150 countries at the fourth International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources in Leipzig.
The Global Plan of Action has 20 priority activity areas, comprising in situ and ex situ conservation, the use of plant genetic resources, and institutional capacity-building.
Also, FAO has developed by request of the Commission a mechanism to monitor the implementation of the Plan in the countries.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

8. The International Network of Ex Situ collections under the auspices of FAO
In 1994, 12 CGIAR centers signed agreements with FAO placing most of their collections in the International Network under the auspices of FAO for the benefit of the international community.
Some accessions
FAO and the Commission have authority in setting policies for the Network
In 1989, the Commission called for the development of The International Network of Ex Situ Collections under the Auspices of FAO because of lack of clarity regarding the legal situation of the ex situ collections of the CGIAR. Twelve International Agricultural Research Centres (IARC) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) signed agreements with FAO in 1994, placing most of their collections (some 500,000 accessions) in the International Network under the auspices of FAO. Under these agreements, the Centres recognised the "intergovernmental authority of FAO and its Commission in setting policies for the International Network". They agreed to hold the designated germplasm "in trust for the benefit of the international community“. The agreements was a provisional solution, until the Governing Body of the Treaty makes a decision on them.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

9. The international networks of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
The FAO Global System encourages the development of PGRFA networks as important centers of scientific exchanges, information sharing, technology transfer and research cooperation.
Networks:
crops
regional
thematic
The FAO Global System also encourages the development of PGRFA networks as important centers of scientific exchanges, information sharing, technology transfer, research cooperation and identifying and sharing responsibilities in such activities as the collection, conservation, distribution, evaluation and genetic improvement of plant genetic resources.
The crop, regional and thematic networks help to foster the exchange of materials by increasing the use of genetic materials, laying down priorities for action, drafting guidelines, and providing a means whereby crop, regional and thematic approaches can be communicated to the different organisations and institutions.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

10. The World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources – WIEWS
The World Information and Early Warning System on Plant Genetic Resources (WIEWS) is a global dynamic mechanism to facilitate the exchange of information between states regarding their PGRFA collections and allied technologies.
Elements:
databases on ex situ collections
global network of country correspondents
documentation repository on PGRFA
mechanism of monitoring the implementation of the Global
Plan of Action
The World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS) was established by FAO as a global dynamic mechanism to facilitate the exchange of information between states regarding their PGRFA collections and allied technologies. WIEWS gathers and disseminates information on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, and acts as a major tool for the regular updating of the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources.
WIEWS consists of:
databases on ex situ collections, resulting from direct contributions from Member Countries, and contain data on PGRFA to some 1410 ex situ collections worldwide
global network of country correspondents officially nominated by their Governments, to exchange information on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
documentation repository on PGRFA: country reports on the state of the PGRFA, and on the implementation of the GPA.
information-sharing mechanism on monitoring the implementation of the GPA
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

11. Codes of Conduct and International Standards
The International Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer (1993) is a voluntary instrument to be used for drafting national regulations or agreements on the collection of genetic materials.
The Commission examines and adopts standards and scientific guidelines for genebanks and the regeneration of samples.
The International Code of Conduct for Plant Germplasm Collecting and Transfer was negotiated by the Commission and adopted by the 1993 FAO Conference as a voluntary instrument. It provides a framework that governments can use when drafting national regulations or agreements on the collection of genetic materials. The adoption of the Treaty has made it essential to update certain parts of the Code of Conduct.
From time to time, the Commission examines and adopts standards or scientific and technical guidelines on genebanks and the regeneration of samples. These standards, drawn up jointly by FAO and the International Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI), relate both to procedures for seed conservation and exchanging and distributing seeds from active collections.
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

12. Supporting Components of the International Treaty
Most of the elements of the Global System are integrated into the International Treaty as Supporting Components (part V)
Global Plan of Action for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of PGRFA
Article 14
Report on the State of the World’s PGRFA
Article 17.3
Ex situ collections of PGRFA held by CGIAR centers
Article 15
International Networks on PGRFA
Article 16
World Information and Early Warning System on PGRFA
Article 17
The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

13. The FAO Global System for the Conservation and Sustainable Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Intergovernmental Institution
Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Normative Instruments
International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
Global Instruments
Global Mechanisms
Codes of conduct and
international standards
International Network of
ex situ collections under
the Auspices of FAO
Report on the State of
the World’s PGRFA
International Code of
Conduct for Plant
Germplasm Collecting
and Transfer
Global Plan of Action
for the Conservation and
Sustainable Utilization
of PGRFA
International Networks
on PGRFA
Genebank Standards
and Guidelines
World Information and
Early Warning System

14. FAO, Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service
More information:
FAO, Seed and Plant Genetic Resources Service