Hamdallah Zedan, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD), highlighted examples of interaction between the CBD and the CGRFA.

FAO Deputy Director General, David Harcharik, opened the celebration of the Commission’s 20th Anniversary and drew attention to the Commission’s achievements and future challenges in biodiversity conservation for sustainable development.

Panama, on behalf of G-77, expressed appreciation for the Commission’s work. Above photo: Horacio J. Maltez (Panama)

Emile Frison, Director General of the International Plant Genetic Resource Institute (IPGRI), on behalf of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR), highlighted the establishment of the Global Crop Diversity Trust.

The Netherlands, on behalf of European Union, highlighted the Commission’s achievements, including the Global Plan of Action (GPA) and the ITPGR. Above photo: Hans Hoogeven (The Netherlands on Behalf of the European Union)

The SOUTHERN AFRICAN DEVELOPMENT COMMUNITY (SADC) outlined its regional programme for conservation of plant genetic resources, and expressed hope to provide assistance in implementing the ITPGR and the GPA. Above photo: Godfrey Patrick Mwila (SDC)

The ETC Group welcomed the establishment of international gene banks and of the Global Crop Biodiversity Trust. Above photo: Pat Mooney (ETC Action Group)

Above photo: Hans Hoogeven, The Netherlands congratulates David Harcharik, FAO Deputy Director General and Jose Esquinas, CGRFA Secretary on the Commission's 20th Anniversay.

Louise Fresco, FAO’s Assistant Director General for Agriculture, highlighted the need to lay the basis for CGRFA’s future work.

CGRFA-9 Chair Robert Bertram (US) opened the session and presided over the nomination of the CGRFA-10 Chair.

Eng-Siang Lim (Malaysia) was elected to Chair CGRFA-10 

Above photo: João Miguel Lomelino de Freitas nominated three Vice-Chairs on behalf of the OECD Group.

PROGRESS SINCE CGRFA-9:

FAO GLOBAL SYSTEM AND ITPGR:

Chair Lim drew attention to the report of the second session of the International Technical Working Group on PGRFA (ITWG-PGR) and noted the follow-up to the recommendations on certain elements of the Global System and the progress report in preparation of the second report on the State of the World’s PGRFA. Above photo: Chair Lim in discussion with Grethe Evjen (Norway)

CANADA proposed that the secretariats of the CGRFA and the Governing Body provide views on collaboration. Above photo: Campbell Davidson (Canada)

Second State of the World Report:

AUSTRALIA cautioned against arduous reporting burdens and duplication with other organizations’ work. Above photo: Bill Roberts (Australia)

ANGOLA expressed concern about diminishing support for agricultural research and declining capacities to utilize genetic resources for food security in poor countries, and prioritized thematic studies in this regard. Elizabeth Matos (Angola)

Facilitating Mechanism:

Monitoring of GPA’s implementation:

The US suggested that the objective of the facilitating mechanism be to facilitate the GPA’s implementation through technical and financial measures. Above photo: Peter Bretting (US)

NORWAY highlighted inadequate efforts for the restoration of genetic material lost during disasters. Above photo: Grethe Evjen (Norway)

International networks:

IPGRI regretted that NGO's and farmers' groups could not attend a recent meeting of its Genetic Resources Policy Committee. Above photo: Cary Fowler (CGIAR)

Amb. Fernando Gerbasi (above), Chair of the Trust’s Interim Panel of Eminent Experts, indicated that 17 regional and sub-regional funding strategies have been developed and will be implemented starting in late 2004-2005.