International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
ITPGRFA-GB-7 Key Messages
2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Role of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture: The International Treaty contributes to a number of Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). It contributes directly to the achievement of SDG 2 – by promoting sustainable agriculture and working to end hunger, and of SGD 15 – by halting the loss of crop biodiversity. In addition, the activities, programs and projects supported by the International Treaty also contribute towards achieving SDG 5 – by working to achieve gender equality, SDG 13 – by supporting projects that combat climate change, and SDG 1 – by working to end poverty.
MLS & Funding Strategy: All Contracting Parties will benefit by having a larger basket of crops being exchanged through the International Treaty’s Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing. It will result in being able to access much more of the world’s crop biodiversity for current and future food requirements. The more diverse and inclusive the list of crops will be, the greater the chance will be for farmers and breeders to develop much-needed crop varieties that adapt to changing climate and growing needs, and the more secure our food supply will be. Hand-in-hand with this goes much-needed improvements to the International Treaty’s Funding Strategy, including through the enhancement of the functioning of the Multilateral System and, thus, creating a more reliable source of financial resources needed to continue key programs, including the projects supporting farmers in developing countries through the International Treaty’s Benefit-sharing Fund. Since inception, the BSF receives many more deserving project proposals than available funds. More funds into the BSF will make it more possible to try to meet this growing demand.
Launch of 4th Call for BSF Project Proposals: Projects supported by the International Treaty’s Benefit-sharing Fund, which was first initiated in 2009, has already benefited almost 1 million people. The 4th Call for Project Proposals under the BSF will focus on helping farmers in developing countries adapt to climate change and move towards future food security.
Global Information System: GLIS offers a way to exchange much needed information about crop diversity amongst existing information systems around the world. Existing systems don’t always have common information-sharing mechanisms, but the GLIS will help bridge this gap.
Farmers’ Rights: Farmers’ Rights are now a well-acknowledged fact. What is still needed in many parts of the world is national legislation or other measures to protect these rights. The International Treaty stands ready to support their national implementation, including through regional and other consultations.
