Fifth session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGR)

Delegates to the fifth session of the Governing Body (GB 5) of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (the Treaty or ITPGR) met in plenary throughout the day. In the morning, an opening ceremony took place under the patronage of H.H. Sayyid Shihab bin Tariq al Said, adviser to H.M. Quaboos bin Said al Said, the Sultan of Oman. Following a recitation from the Quran, H.E. Fuad bin Jaafar bin Mohammed al Sajwani, Oman’s Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, highlighted the importance of strengthening capacities for genetic resource exchange and creating an environment conducive for investment by the private sector. In their opening statements, regional representatives stressed, among other issues: the role of the Treaty in relation to food security and climate adaptability; ensuring the appropriate functioning of the Multilateral System for access and benefit-sharing (MLS); farmers’ rights; resource mobilization; the need for more effective information exchange on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA) availability and sharing of benefits arising from their use; and expanding the list of crops covered by the MLS.

In his report, GB 5 Chair Javad Mozafari (Iran) highlighted intersessional discussions on expanding the Treaty’s membership and addressing its relationship with other international agreements. ITPGR Secretary Shakeel Bhatti called for proactive engagement with the CBD Nagoya Protocol on Access and Benefit-Sharing to ensure harmonious implementation, and appealed to parties to continue including materials in the MLS and to develop innovative approaches for income generation under the Treaty.

Delegates also heard reports from: intersessional committee meetings on the implementation of the MLS, the Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) and implementation of the Funding Strategy.

Plenary then addressed implementation of the MLS and the Funding Strategy as one agenda item. The budget committee and a contact group on the MLS and the Funding Strategy convened in the evening.