As part of the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020, the Second High-Level Round Table on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) fostered discussions among ITPGR parties, stakeholders and experts on pressing issues regarding the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
21 June 2012: The Second High-Level Round Table on the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) took place at the Rio Centro, in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on 21 June 2012, during the UN Conference on Sustainable Development (UNCSD, or Rio+20). The event was co-organized by Brazil and Italy, under the patronship of the High-level Task Force of the Benefit-sharing Fund of the ITPGR.
The Round Table aimed to support efforts for the coherent and synergic implementation of the International Treaty. As part of the UN Decade on Biodiversity 2011-2020, the event fostered discussions among ITPGR Parties, stakeholders and experts on pressing issues regarding the conservation of biological diversity, the sustainable use of its components, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising from the use of genetic resources.
Discussions focused on: the interaction between economy, biodiversity and food security; the ITPGR innovative mechanisms such as the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS) and its Benefit-sharing Fund; and the potential monetary and non-monetary benefits arising from the utilization of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Meeting participants agreed to adopt as recommendations of the Round Table a six-point action plan for the ITPGR. [IISDR RS Meeting Coverage] [ITPGR Website]