Overview of the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources

for Food and Agriculture in EgyptAbeer Elhalwagi

Senior Researcher,National Gene bank, Egypt National Monitoring Officer of TCP/SNO in Egypt

TCP/SNO/3401Optimizing the Use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

for Adaptation to Climate Change

Workshop “Monitoring and reporting on the implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture”, Cairo, 5-6 November 2014

PGRFA are crucial in feeding the world’s increasing population;

They are the raw materials that farmers and plant breeders use to improve the quality and productivity of crops;

The sustainable use of plant genetic resources is vital for national agricultural development because they are required to increase in agricultural productivity and sustainability;

Contributing to enhanced global food security and reducing poverty.

Importance of PGRFA

1996, Leipzig International Conference on Plant Genetic Resources

Adoption of the Global Plan of Action (GPA) 2001, FAO Conference Adoption of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic

Resources for Food and Agriculture (IT-PGRFA) The GPA became part of the IT-PGRGA as a supporting

component

History of the Global Plan of Action

It is a strategic framework for the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity.

It was adopted by the FAO Council in November 2011.

2 GPA reaffirms the commitment of governments to the promotion of PGR as an essential component of food security through sustainable agriculture in the face of climate change.

2 GPA

The Second GPA comprises 18 priority activities

organized into four Priority Areas:

In situ conservation and management,

Ex situ conservation,

Sustainable use,

And sustainable institutional and human capacities.

Priority Areas of the Second GPA

Support for targeted collection of PGRFA,

Sustaining and expanding ex situ conservation of

germplasm,

Regenerating and multiplying ex situ accessions.

Priority activities of Ex situ conservation

Filling up the excel sheets relevant to the 18 priority

areas of the Second Global Plan of Action for PGRFA

using world information and early warning system

WIEWS.

Implementation of the second GPA in Egypt