14 March 2011: The fourth session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) opened on 14 March 2011, in Bali, Indonesia, and will continue until 18 March 2011. It was preceded by a High-Level Ministerial Conference, organized by the Government of Indonesia (11 March 2011), and two days of regional consultations (12-13 March 2011).

The Governing Body is expected to review implementation of the Treaty’s Multilateral System on access and benefit-sharing (ABS), adopt procedures and operational mechanisms to promote compliance and address issues of non-compliance, and provide further guidance on the next project cycles of the Treaty’s benefit-sharing fund. The meeting will also address: the financial rules of the Governing Body; implementation of the Treaty’s Funding Strategy; operation of the Third Party Beneficiary; farmers’ rights; implementation of Article 6 (Sustainable Use of Plant Genetic Resources); the draft business plan for the Treaty’s implementation; cooperation with relevant organizations; and the work programme and budget for 2012-2013. [IISD RS Coverage][Meeting Webpage]