The fourth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the Multilateral System (MLS) of Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) will commence on 2 October, immediately before the sixth meeting of the ITPGR Governing Body (GB) to be held from 5-9 October, and, depending on progress, may continue its work during the GB session from 5-7 October. The Working Group has been focusing on measures to enhance the functioning of the MLS, including: increasing the availability of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA); strengthening non-monetary benefit-sharing mechanisms; developing a subscription model/system for users of PGRFA; amending the standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) to make it more user-friendly; exploring other ways to enhance income to the Benefit-sharing Fund; and expanding the ABS provisions of the Treaty.  

dates: 2-7 October 2015  
location: Rome, Lazio, Italy  
contact: ITPGR Secretariat  
phone: +39 06 570 53441  
fax: +39 06 570 56347  
e-mail: pgrfa-treaty@fao.org  
www: http://www.planttreaty.org/content/fourth-meeting-ad-hoc-open-ended-working-group-enhance-functioning-multilateral-system-acces