At its 15th Regular Session, the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Commission) agreed to establish the Ad Hoc Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Working Group), specifically with the task to guide the preparation of the first global assessment of the status of aquatic genetic resources for food and agriculture (AqGR).

At its 17th regular session the Commission decided to establish the Ad Hoc Working Group as a regular Intergovernmental Technical Working Group.
The Working Group is composed of 28 country delegates selected by the Commission, meets biennially, and has the following agreed functions:

• Review the situation and issues related to aquatic genetic resources (AqGR) and advise and make recommendations to the Commission on these matters;
• Consider the progress made in implementing the Commission's programme of work on AqGR as well as any other matters referred to it by the Commission; and
• Report to the Commission on its activities.

List of regular sessions of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources