17-21 July 2023 Rome, Lazio, Italy
19th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The 19th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA 19) will bring together Commission members to discuss three cross-sectoral matters:

  • a review of work on biodiversity, nutrition, and human health;
  • access and benefit-sharing for food and agriculture; and
  • digital sequence information (DSI) for food and agriculture.

The Commission will also discuss: biodiversity for food and agriculture, including a Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture; the role of genetic resources for food and agriculture in mitigation of and adaptation to climate change; forest genetic resources; microorganism and invertebrate genetic resources, including pollinator and biological control agents; and animal genetic resources.

The Commission will address strategic and procedural matters. Members will hear a report on the Strategic Plan for the CGRFA and discuss the Commission’s future work. The Commission will elect the Chairperson and six Vice-Chairpersons at the end of the session. Members will also elect members of its intergovernmental technical working groups.

The session will be preceded by a special event to mark the Commission’s 40th anniversary, on Saturday, 15 July 2023. Regional consultations will be held on Sunday, 16 July 2023.

The CGRFA is the only permanent intergovernmental body that specifically deals with all components of biodiversity for food and agriculture, including plants, animals, aquatic resources, forests, micro-organisms, and invertebrates. The Commission initiates, oversees, and guides the preparation of global cross-sectoral and sector assessments of genetic resources for food and agriculture. Based on these assessments, the Commission may decide on policy responses, such as initiating Global Plans of Action, through which governments commit to promote the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity and genetic resources in the respective sector. The Commission then reviews the outcomes of implementation as part of further global assessments, which occur at roughly ten-year intervals.

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dates: 17-21 July 2023
location: Rome, Lazio, Italy
www: https://www.fao.org/cgrfa/meetings/detail/en/c/1634846/
https://www.fao.org/3/nl755en/nl755en.pdf