30 October 2017: The Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) hosted the Liaison Group of Biodiversity-related Conventions in Rome, Italy, to discuss synergies in support of the global biodiversity and sustainable development agendas. The meeting took place in the lead up to the seventh session of the ITPGR Governing Body.

Held from 28-29 September 2017, the Biodiversity Liaison Group meeting was chaired by Kent Nnadozie, Secretary Ad-Interim of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Liaison Group brings together the heads of the Secretariats of eight biodiversity-related conventions: the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD); the Convention on the Conservation of Migratory Species of Wild Animals (CMS); the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES); the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC); the ITPGR; the International Whaling Commission (IWC); the Ramsar Convention on Wetlands; and the UN Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Convention. The group will work together to build on the momentum around the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and to raise awareness and gather support for biodiversity issues through the development of a common strategy, including clearer communication.

The meeting of the Biodiversity Liaison Group was held back-to-back with another meeting between the group and representatives of the host agencies, including FAO, UN Environment, UNESCO and the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). The meeting focused on ways to strengthen interagency coordination and cooperation in support of the biodiversity and sustainable development agendas.

In related news, the seventh session of the ITPGR Governing Body opened on Monday, 30 October 2017, in Kigali, Rwanda, and will continue until 3 November. The session is being held under the theme, ‘The 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Role of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.’ It is expected to address general policy and implementation of the Treaty and its Multilateral System of access and benefit-sharing; and administrative and budgetary matters. [FAO Press Release on Biodiversity Liaison Group] [IISD RS Coverage of ITPGR GB 7] [ITPGR GB 7 Webpage]