Highlights and images for 21 February 2019

Italy

Summary

Highlights for Thursday, 21 February 2019

Delegates discuss the draft negotiating text on the second to last day of CGRFA 17

On Thursday, CGRFA 17 delegates met in plenary to continue deliberations on micro-organism and invertebrate genetic resources (MIGR), the Strategic Plan for the CGRFA, and cooperation with international instruments and organizations. Highlights of the deliberations included:

  • A discussion on future work on sustainable use and conservation of MIGR;
  • Discussions on the draft revised Strategic Plan for the CGRFA (2018-2027); and
  • A discussion on inputs received from international instruments and organizations in the Commission’s work, including the State of the World’s Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture (SOW-BFA).
  • The Expert Group on MIGR met to discuss MIGR functional groups to be addressed in forthcoming CGRFA sessions.Delegates agreed to hold CGRFA 18 from 1 to 5 March 2021 at FAO Headquarters in Rome, Italy. François Pythoud (Switzerland) was elected as Chair of CGRFA 18.For more details on the day's events and to hear what delegates said in the corridors, see our daily Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB).

    IISD Reporting Services, through its Earth Negotiations Bulletin (ENB) Meeting Coverage, provided daily web coverage, daily reports, and a summary and analysis report from the 17th Session of the FAO Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The summary and analysis report is now available in HTML and PDF.

    Photos by IISD/ENB | Kiara Worth

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    Morning Plenary
    View of the dais during the morning plenary
    Hideki Kito, Japan
    William Wigmore, CGRFA 17 Chair
    David Smith, Centre for Agriculture and Bioscience (CAB) International
    Irene Hoffmann, CGRFA Secretary, FAO
    Eun Soo Noh, Republic of Korea
    Frank Begemann, Germany
    Afaf Abdelrahim Elguzouli, Sudan
    Manrique Altavista, Argentina
    Desterio Ondieki Nyamongo, Kenya
    Mohamad Walid Tawil, Arab Centre for the Studies of Arid Zones and Dry Lands
    Luigi Guarino, Global Crop Biodiversity Trust
    Teresa Agüero Teare, Chile
    Afternoon Plenary
    View of the dais during the afternoon plenary
    Johannette Klapwijk, Chair, Expert Group on MIGR
    Ethel Tebengi Frances, Solomon Islands
    Imelda Smolčić-Tiribocchi, Uruguay
    Marliese von den Driesch, Chair, Contact Group on digital sequence information (DSI)
    Deidre Januarie, Namibia
    Renata Negrelly Nogueira, Co-Chair, Contact Group on Biodiversity
    Delegates applaud the confirmation of the incoming CGRFA bureau
    Delegates read the draft negotiating text
    Delegates read the draft negotiating text
    Contact Groups throughout the Day
    Contact group on Article Item 7 - biodiversity
    Expert group on micro-organism and invertebrate genetic resources (MIGR)
    Around the Venue
    The UN flag flies outside the FAO building
    Delegates from Canada
    Delegates from Germany
    Delegates from Malawi and Zimbabwe
    Delegates from Saudi Arabia and Yemen
    Delegates between sessions
    A bronze sculpture of a seed on the grounds of the FAO