18 March 2011: At the Fourth Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant and Genetic Resources (ITPGR), which convened from 14-18 March 2011, delegates adopted procedures and mechanisms on compliance and reached consensus on the long-standing item of the financial rules of the Governing Body.

The Governing Body also adopted a work programme and budget for the 2012-2013 biennium including a moderate budget increase, and resolutions on a number of items including on farmers’ rights, sustainable use, cooperation with other organizations, and implementation of the Funding Strategy. The meeting took place in Bali, Indonesia.

During the meeting, the ITPGR Secretariat reported that 127 countries have signed the Treaty and that its gene pool now holds over 1.5 million samples of the world’s 64 most important food crops. In its report, the ITPGR Secretariat highlighted progress toward implementation of the Treaty, but stressed the need for more resources to support conservation and breeding activities in developing countries. The report also noted: that climate change is exacerbating the need for action on saving and sharing crop diversity; the need for a mechanism to ensure compliance with the terms of the Treaty; and the need for more contributions to the Treaty’s Benefit-Sharing Fund. High-impact projects to support farmers’ adaptation through the use of plant genetic resources are expected to be launched this year, with funding of at least US$10 million. [IISD RS coverage] [IISD RS archives of coverage of ITPGR meetings] [ITPGR Press Release] [Meeting Website]