Global Arab Network | International experts to meet in Tunisia to strengthen the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources

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International experts to meet in Tunisia to strengthen the Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources

- Hannan Taha

Tuesday, 26 May 2009 03:14

Third Session of the Governing Body of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture will be held in Tunis (Hotel Ramada Plaza, Les Côtes de Carthage, Gammarth) from 1 to 5 June 2009 and will be preceded by two days of consultations. The opening session will begin at 10.00 a.m. on Monday June 1st and a press briefing will take place on the same day.

More than 100 experts from around the world will discuss ways and means to strengthen the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and enhance its funding strategy including the mobilization of additional financial resources for plant genetic projects/programmes to help farmers, especially in developing countries and countries in transition.

This legally binding Treaty, which entered into force in 2004, is an international agreement critical to the future of agriculture and food security worldwide. It offers a multilateral framework for accessing genetic resources and sharing their benefits. It also helps developing countries improve the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources

The world's crop gene pool is essential for feeding a growing population. These genes provide the raw materials that plant breeders need to develop new varieties to face potential future challenges such as climate change and unknown pests and plant diseases, and to ensure a richer diet.

Another important aspect of the Treaty is its multilateral system for access and benefit sharing which ensures the use of plant genetic resources based on the principle of easy access and exchange, and the fair and equitable sharing of the benefits. Benefit sharing includes exchange of information, access and transfer of technology and capacity building.

This ultimately benefits consumers, by providing them with greater choice and quality of food products.

Global Arab Network