12 October 2015
ITPGRFA Governing Body Decides to Enhance Benefit-Sharing and Sustainable Use
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The sixth Session of the Governing Body (GB 6) of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) concluded with the adoption of 13 resolutions.

ITPGRFA GB69 October 2015: The sixth Session of the Governing Body (GB 6) of the International Treaty for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) concluded with the adoption of 13 resolutions.

The meeting’s discourse focused on two main themes: addressing the shortfall in funding to the Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF) through a review of the Funding Strategy and efforts to enhance the Treaty’s Multilateral System (MLS); and strengthening implementation of Treaty provisions with regard to the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) on-farm, through the work programme on sustainable use and farmers’ rights. GB 6 also adopted a work programme for the Global Information System (GLIS).

With regard to funding, GB 6 decided to extend the mandate of the Ad hoc Open-ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the MLS of Access and Benefit-sharing (ABS). It is tasked with, inter alia, the development of concrete proposals to enhance user-based payments through a subscription system for access to the MLS. Such a system would aim to broaden user-based payments to the BSF. The decision on the Funding Strategy focuses reviewing the Strategy and on increasing donor contributions in the short-term to continue BSF operations until the MLS subscription system is operational.

GB 6 also decided to establish a Global Information System (GLIS) to serve as an entry point to information and knowledge that will strengthen capacity for PGRFA conservation, management and utilization. The availability of such information through the GLIS is also meant to support the utility and use of the MLS.

The revised work programme on sustainable use and farmers’ rights increases focus on the role of farmers with a view to augmenting sustainable use, the benefits they can derive from sustainable use and capacity building. Other meeting outcomes include: corrections to the standard reporting format for compliance; cooperation with the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), the Global Crop Diversity Trust (GCDT) and other international bodies and institutions; the Treaty’s functional autonomy within the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO); and the draft multi-year programme of work.

GB 6 convened from 5-9 October 2015 at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy. It was attended by approximately 450 participants from parties and other governments, international, non-governmental and farmers’ organizations, international agricultural research centers, and industry. The session was preceded by two events held on Saturday, 3 October: an information event on the outcomes of the Ad hoc Open-ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the MLS of ABS; and a special event on farmers’ rights under the Treaty. [IISD RS Coverage of BG 6] [FAO Press Release] [ITPGRFA Press Release, 2 October] [ITPGRFA Press Release, 9 October 2015] [FAO Press Release]


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