January 2013: The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) of Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO) has released the report of the sixth meeting of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA), held from 14-16 November 2012, in Rome, Italy. The Working Group’s recommendations will be considered by the CGRFA at its 14th meeting, to be held from 15-19 April 2013, in Rome, Italy.

The Working Group reviewed a list of proposed indicators and targets for PGRFA, as well as the draft reporting format for monitoring the implementation of the second Global Plan of Action for PGRFA, which was adopted by the FAO Council in 2011; and it recommends that the CGRFA adopt them as revised. It also reviewed the draft genebank standards for PGRFA, and recommends that the CGRFA endorse them as amended, further recommending that the CGRFA confirm the need for comprehensive capacity development for their implementation.

The Working Group reiterates the importance of the second GPA as a key policy document governing the conservation and sustainable use of PGRFA, and recommends that international cooperation be strengthened in that regard. For in situ conservation and on-farm management, it recommends that the CGRFA request FAO to develop a concept note detailing the possible structure and functions of a global network for in situ conservation and on-farm management of PGRFA, and its financial implications, taking into account the need to strengthen national and regional networks.

With regard to building sustainable institutional and human capacities, the Working Group recommends that the CGRFA, among others, request FAO to prepare draft guidelines for the preparation of national PGRFA strategies. On the process for the preparation of the Third Report on the State of the World’s PGRFA, it recommends that the CGRFA request the Secretariat to provide a detailed outline, including suggested chapters, thematic areas, as well as a revised estimated budget.

With regard to access and benefit-sharing (ABS) for PGRFA, the Working Group reviewed the report and recommendations of the first session of the Ad Hoc Technical Working Group on ABS for PGRFA, held from 11-13 September 2012, in Svalbard, Norway. It notes that the scope of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) covers all PGRFA and that the ITPGR Governing Body has the mandate and authority to decide and carry out work on all matters within this scope, including any further work on ABS for PGRFA. It requests the CGRFA to continue coordinating with the ITPGR Secretariat, to promote complementarity in the work of the two bodies and to avoid the duplication of efforts. [Publication: Report of the sixth session of the Intergovernmental Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture][Publication: Report of the first session of the Ad Hoc Technical Working Group on Access and Benefit-Sharing for Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture][CGRFA-14 Website]