On March 4, 2019, a seminar on "Conservation and Benefit Sharing of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and Agricultural Biodiversity focusing on post-2020 Agricultural Biodiversity" was held in Beijing Agricultural Science Building. The event was co-hosted by China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (China Green Development Foundation) and Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS). Delegates from international organizations, Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (MARA), China Agricultural University, Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, BAAFS and other research institutions attended the meeting. Dr. Vincent Martin, Representative of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in China, also participated in the meeting and delivered a keynote speech.

Dr. Martin emphasized in his speech that "biodiversity and ecosystem services are indispensable for sustainable production in the agricultural sector. They are necessary for the provision of food and other agricultural products, and for sustaining the livelihoods of those who depended on them. Biodiversity also contributes to maintaining ecosystem health, addressing climate challenges and combatting land degradation. Recently under the guidance of Commission of Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO launched the first ever global report on the state of biodiversity, underlining the serious threats to the foundation of our Food System. The report also emphasized the need for conserving biodiversity in a sustainable way.”

Dr. Martin highlighted that the FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) has always been a key corporate instrument that provided a legally binding international framework for conserving, sustainable using and equitably sharing the benefits from crucial plant genetic resources, in harmony with the Convention on Biological Diversity, while recognizing Farmers’ Rights.

The Treaty’s goals to conserve, use and exchange of genetic diversity are crucial to the achievement of FAO’s Strategic Objectives.

At present, FAO in China is managing 7 on-going GEF projects in support of biodiversity conservation in farmland, water, lake, forest, mountain, and wetland ecosystem, supported by GEF project portfolio with a total funding of 27 million USD. Under GEF 6, FAO will be supporting the conservation and sustainable use of crop genetic resources in the Rice Production Area (Yunnan Province), Millets and Oats Production Area (Hebei Province) and Soybeans Production Area (Liaoning/ Heilongjiang Provinces). With the 7th GEF replenishment starting in 2018, an Impact Program on Food Systems, Land Use and Restoration is also under development with a target budget of 15 million USD and an objective of biodiversity conservation in agricultural system.

In conclusion, Dr. Martin strongly invited and encouraged China to join this enabling agreement of International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture by stressing that FAO would continue to strengthen cooperation with China and other member countries to promote multi-stakeholder, cross-sectoral and international cooperation in support of biodiversity conservation, including at genetic levels.

Mr. Kent Nnadozi, Secretary-General of the ITPGRFA, delivered a keynote speech on the importance of ITPGRFA and the far-reaching impacts of plant genetic resources on food, agriculture and the sustainable development of human being.

In the afternoon session, more than 20 experts introduced the current measures for biodiversity protection of food and agricultural plants in China and held discussions on the benefit of agricultural plant genetic resources, and the next steps for China to join the ITPGRFA. The participants also discussed how international organizations, institutions, government and the civil society can work together to promote the development of biodiversity in China after 2020.