On 3-7 September 2007, the first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was held in Interlaken, Switzerland, organized by FAO and hosted by the Government of Switzerland. During the conference, the FAO report "The State of the Worlds Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture" was released. This comprehensive 511-page publication draws on 169 Country Reports, contributions from a number of international organizations, 12 specially commissioned thematic studies and wider expert knowledge to provide the first global assessment of these resources and their management. It contains many sections indirectly or directly relevant to biotechnology, such as applications of molecular markers and reproductive technologies. The main achievement of the conference was the adoption of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources as a critical milestone in international efforts to promote conservation and wise management of the worlds animal genetic resources for food and agriculture. See this website (includes the full `State of the World` report in English; a 37-page "brief" version, presenting a summary of the key findings of the main report, in Arabic, Chinese, English, French and Spanish; and the conference report) or contact [email protected] for more information.

24/11/2007