The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture turns 40

This year FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture turns 40. Its vision to value and conserve biodiversity for food and agriculture and promote its sustainable use in support of global food security and sustainable development, for present and future generations, is as relevant today as ever.

Established in 1983, the Commission is the only permanent intergovernmental body that specifically addresses all biodiversity for food and agriculture. The Commission offers a unique platform for its Members and other stakeholders, promoting a world without hunger by fostering the use and development of the whole portfolio of biodiversity important to food security and rural poverty. Its mandate spans the diversity of living organisms at genetic, species and ecosystem levels, present in and around agri-food production systems. The Commission deals with the diversity of domesticated crops, livestock and farmed fish and aquatic invertebrates, forest trees and aquatic species. Its mandate also covers the diversity of all the non-domesticated species that enable production to occur – for example, pollinators, soil-dwelling organisms, the natural enemies of pests, and the micro-organisms that enable ruminant animals to digest their food.

The Nineteenth Regular Session of the Commission will take place this year at FAO headquarters in Rome, from 17 to 21 July 2023. The official session will be preceded by a a special event “Connecting the dots: Biodiversity, Food and Agriculture” on 15 July and regional consultations on the following day. The Commission, at each meeting, reviews the state of the world’s genetic resources and considers activities necessary for their conservation, sustainable use and development. The Commission keeps under continuous review all matters relating to the policy, programmes and activities in the area of genetic resources of relevance to food and agriculture and advises governments and FAO’s governing bodies.

Over 350 delegates and observers are expected to attend this session, and make some critical decisions that will guide the future work of the Commission. 

Find out more here