Delegates discussed the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework alongside the Commission’s Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.
The Commission is also making progress in addressing other cross-cutting issues such as the role of GRFA in climate change mitigation and adaptation.
The Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework (GBF) was top of the agenda of the 19th meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN (FAO). The CGRFA is the only permanent intergovernmental body focused on all types of biodiversity for agriculture and food production.
The Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) summary report of the meeting notes that the CGRFA’s 19th meeting convened seven months after the landmark adoption of the GBF. Delegates discussed the implementation of the GBF alongside the Commission’s Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture (FA BFA) in a spirit of “mutual supportiveness” and “synergies” between the two frameworks.
ENB notes that “the CGRFA’s role continues to grow beyond its well-honed expertise” in animal, plant, forest, and aquatic genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA). For example, the Commission is making progress in addressing cross-cutting issues such as the role of GRFA in climate change mitigation and adaptation. In addition, the CGRFA is advancing its work on microorganism and invertebrate genetic resources (MIGR), including pollinator and biological control agents, – “biodiversity that does not end up on our plates.”
According to ENB, CGRFA 19 also provided guidance for reviewing several of the State of the World (SOW) reports on different sectors of GRFA. Delegates endorsed the preparation of the third SOW on Animal Genetic Resources and laid the groundwork for the second SOW on Forest Genetic Resources and the third SOW on Plant Genetic Resources.
At a special event held prior to CGRFA 19 on 15 July, the Commission celebrated its 40th anniversary. The ENB analysis of the meeting notes that over the years, the CGRFA “established itself as a hub of knowledge and evidence-based guidance for members” where “issues are treated based on technical expertise, which builds trust among its members.” And while it “is not the main body where important decisions will be taken,” ENB recalls that “it also served as the birthplace for the development of an international legally binding instrument” – the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
CGRFA 19 convened at FAO headquarters in Rome, Italy, from 17-21 July 2023. The Commission meets regularly to address policies on genetic resources for food and agriculture (GRFA) and to assess progress in the implementation of its Global Plans of Actions for plants, animals, and aquatic genetic resources.
CGRFA 19 was preceded by the tenth meeting of the Ad Hoc Open ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the ITPGRFA Multilateral System. [ENB Coverage of CGRFA 19]