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Eleventh regular session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA-11)
11-15 June 2007 | Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) headquarters, Rome, Italy
Special Event on the MYPOW

Summary Report

Monday, 11 June 2007

June 2007
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Summary Report

Monday, 18 June 2007

CGRFA-11

CGRFA-11 HIGHLIGHTS
Thursday, 14 June 2007

Eager to ensure that all agenda items will be adequately addressed by the close of the meeting, delegates to CGRFA-11 met in parallel sessions on Thursday morning. The first session addressed cooperation between the Commission and other international organizations and agreements, while in the second, delegates continued discussion of the draft Strategic Priorities for Action for the Sustainable Use, Development and Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

The afternoon plenary session was devoted to consideration of the MYPOW. Delegates first discussed how to proceed with their deliberations, in particular, whether to work from the outcomes of the MYPOW Committee meeting held on Wednesday evening. Ultimately, they decided to proceed by reviewing a table prepared by the Secretariat, which contains draft outputs and milestones under the MYPOW. The issue of the draft MYPOW will be taken up again on Friday.

During an evening plenary session, delegates returned to their consideration of the draft elements of a Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, discussing implementation and financing issues. Late in the evening, they returned to their consideration of the Interlaken Declaration, under the Chairmanship of François Pithoud, Head of International Sustainable Agriculture Section, Federal Office of Agriculture (Switzerland). This item will be taken up again on Friday, along with other outstanding issues, such as the agenda item on status and needs of other biodiversity-related matters under the mandate of the Commission.

Second, the order of the countries listed in this caption needs to be changed to match the order of the pictures (i.e. it should be Papua New Guinea, Finland, Guinea and many others commented on aspects of the draft Strategic Priorities.

Synergies and Cooperation at the International Level

Discussion of the agenda item on cooperation with other international organizations and agreements was chaired by Asmerom Kidane, Ministry of Agriculture, Eritrea.

Observing that the ITPGR is “at a crucial and formative stage,” Shakeel Bhatti ITPGR Secretary, drew attention to a lack of human and financial resources for carrying out work under the ITPGR.

Linda Collette, FAO, presented on cooperation with the CBD, including in relation to the Convention’s Programme of Work on Agricultural Biological Diversity.

Jo Mulongoy, CBD Secretariat, noted the CBD Secretariat was looking forward to closer cooperation with the Commission and the Governing Body of the ITPGR.

China, Japan, Kenya and Yemen, among other members, welcomed cooperation between the Commission and other international organizations and agreements.

Clive Stannard, Commission Secretariat, presented on international cross-sectorial policy matters on genetic resources, drawing attention to access and benefit-sharing, IPRs, and goals, targets and indicators relating to promoting synergy with other international organizations.
Programme of Work on Animal Genetic Resources
In a parallel morning session, delegates continued discussion of the draft Strategic Priorities for Action for the Sustainable Use, Development and Conservation of Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

Finland, Guinea, Papua New Guinea and many others commented on aspects of the draft Strategic Priorities.

Multi-Year Programme of Work

The commencement of plenary discussions on the draft MYPOW resulted in a full house in the “Green Room” at FAO Headquarters.

Chair Visser reported to plenary on the outcome of discussions in the MYPOW Committee meeting on Wednesday evening.

Describing the MYPOW as an “organizational tool,” Canada said he was ready to negotiate the text.

Nigeria underscored the importance of funding for carrying out activities listed under the MYPOW.

Malaysia said that it was unable, at this session, to negotiate the MYPOW, due to a lack of relevant expertise in attendance at the session.

Tonga requested a revision of the order in which the MYPOW’s outcomes appear in draft text under discussion.

Bhutan suggested that the MYPOW’s sectorial programmes be “broad and open.”

Animal Genetic Resources

In an evening plenary session, delegates addressed implementation and financing issues in relation to the draft elements of a Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources.

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