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Second Meeting of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture acting as the Interim Committee for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

15-19 November 2004, Rome, Italy
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 Thu 18
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Highlights for Thursday, 18 November 2004

Delegates to the second session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) acting as Interim Committee for the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR) addressed the procedures and mechanisms for compliance, and the agreements to be signed between the ITPGR Governing Body and the International Agricultural Research Centres (IARCs) of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR). They also discussed the work programmes and budgets of the Interim Committee and the Governing Body, and heard a report on cooperation with relevant international bodies. Above photo: View of the plenary during the drafting of the Rules of Procedure.


procedures and mechanisms for compliance:


The Netherlands, on behalf of the European Community and its Member States (EU), suggested convening the working group prior to the first session of the Governing Body and requesting the Secretariat to prepare a draft with options to facilitate its discussions. Above photo: René Lefeber and Hans Hoogeven (The Netherlands, on behalf of the EU)


Clive Stannard, Secretariat, introduced a compilation and analysis of governments’ views on compliance with the Treaty. 



BRAZIL added that the compliance mechanism should be positive, cooperative, facilitative, voluntary, transparent, flexible and non-controversial, assisting Parties in implementation and aiming to oversee that the scope of the Treaty is not disrespected. Above photo: Maria Angelica Ikeda (Brazil)


Colombia, on behalf of G-77/CHINA, stressed the need for an inter-sessional working group meeting on rules of procedure and financial rules. Above photo L-R: Juan Carlos Sanchez Franco and Ricardo Carrasco Torres (Colombia)


Work programme and budget of the governing body:


Chair Bryan Harvey (Canada) invited comments on the work programme and budget for the Governing Body.


SPAIN reiterated its offer to host the first meeting of the Governing Body. Above photo: Francisco Martínez Arroyo (Spain)



ERITREA requested clarification on participation at the first meeting of countries that are not Parties yet, having ratified the Treaty less than 90 days before the first session of the Governing Body. Above photo: Yohannes Tensue (Eritrea)


SWITZERLAND prioritized implementation of ITPGR Article 6 (Sustainable Use of Genetic Resoures). Above photo: Geert Kleijer (Switzerland)


Work programme and budget of the interim committee:


The US prioritized the completion of the standard MTA by the Interim Committee, and offered to host the inter-sessional contact group in early 2005. Above photo: David Hegwood (US)


BANGLADESH requested a timetable for inter-sessional activities and means for the implementation of the work programme. Above photo: Abdur Razzaque (Bangladesh)



SUDAN requested special budgetary allocations for implementation activities in developing countries. Above photo:
Adam Mohamed Abu Baker (Sudan)


CANADA suggested building on CGRFA-10 decisions regarding the GPA and Facilitation Mechanism in the review of financial requirements for Treaty implementation. Above photo: Campbell Davidson (Canada)


agreements between the governing body and the iarcs: 


A CGIAR representative highlighted: the perpetual duration of the agreement; amendments by parties by mutual agreement; and periodic consultations with the Secretariat on implementation of the agreement. Above photo L-R: N. Delegates from CGIAR-IPGRI with Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton, Gerald Moore, Carey Fowler and Sami Gaiji


JAPAN suggested more specific references to rights and obligations of IARCs and the Governing Body. Hideo Inomata (Japan)



ENB ITPGR SNAPSHOTS: 


Above photos L-R: The Secretariat's Clive Stannard and Martin Smith (CGRFA) in discussion with Kristianne Herrmann (Australia); June Blalock (US) in a conversation with Carey Fowler and N. Ruaraidh Sackville Hamilton (IPGRI); Ambassador Flavio M. Perry (Brazil) in discussion with Jose Esquinas Alcazar, Secretary of the CGRFA.


Above photos L-R: Sahr Ngoba Fomba (Sierra Leone); Andrée Sontot (France), Anders Christiansen (Denmark) Hans Hoogeveen and Dirk de Jong (The Netherlands);  Samson Syankwilimba (Zambia), Shadrack Sariri Mlambo (Zimbabwe) and Godfrey Mwila (Zambia)



Above photos L-R: Margaret Mohapi (South Africa); Tuula Pehu (Finland); and Kristianne Herrmann (Australia)



Above photo L-R: Modeste Mamingi Mfundu (Democratic Republic of the Congo); Abebe Demissie and Fassil Kebebew (Ethiopia); Hans Hoogeveen (The Netherlands) and Govinda Prasad Pandey (Nepal)

SIDE EVENT: 

 


Emile Frison, Director General of the International Plant Genetic Resources (IPGRI) (left) presented IPGRI's new strategic direction through its "Diversity for Well-being." He showed delegates on-going agricultural diversity projects that promote social, economic and environmental benefits, two examples mentioned are Tamil Nadu: Nutrious Millets and African Leafy Vegetables. He also noted the IPGRI's membership to the Future Harvest Alliance, a global grouping of research centers focused on rural development and poverty alleviation through better and sustainable use of agriculture. For further information on IPGRI and its involvement with Future Harvest please visit their websites at www.ipgri.cgiar.org and www.futureharvest.org .




Links |

CGRFA Homepage
CGRFA-10 ENB Coverage
CGRFA-10 documents
ITPGR Homepage
ITPGR IC-2 documents
CGRFA-10 ENB Summary Report (HTML, PDF, TEXT)
CGRFA-9 ENB Summary Report (HTML, PDF, TEXT)
ITPGR IC-1 ENB Summary Report (HTML, PDF, TEXT)

FAO homepage

 
 

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