A seminar themed “Conservation and Benefit Sharing of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, Focusing on Agricultural Biodiversity After 2020” will take place at Beijing Academy of Agricultural and Forestry Sciences (BAAFS) on March 4. It is co-organized by CBCGDF and BAAFS.

CBCGDF builds a platform for the exchange of biodiversity of genetic resources, bringing together leading experts, scholars and relevant departments in the fields of genetic resources, benefit sharing, and environmental law to jointly promote international governance, genetic resources, and biodiversity conservation in China and the formulation of rules. In November 2017, CBCGDF officially became an observer of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. In February 2018, CBCGDF and ITPGRFA conducted in-depth discussions on topics of common interest such as the digital sequence of genetic resources.

Under such a circumstance, this seminar aims to promote China's conservation and benefit sharing of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, promote China's agro-ecological security and biodiversity conservation, and effectively participate in global environmental governance. It is intended to invite experts and scholars from relevant fields and representatives of government departments to conduct academic exchanges and discussions. At the same time, the participants will also dedicate their suggestions on the fifteenth meeting of the Conference of the Parties of the United Nation's Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD COP15), which will be held in 2020 in Kunming, Yunnan Province, China; the representatives from different sides will also discuss on co-organizing the side event for the theme of agriculture and biodiversity conservation during the CBD COP15.

During the preparation for the seminar, CBCGDF ever gained the recognition from the Secretary of FAO’s ITPGRFA Mr. Kent Nnadozie. His words were filled with appreciation and excitement. He pointed out that the possible dialogue and cooperation platform built by CBCGDF is very important, and it is very useful to organize this seminar. He believes that this will help policy makers and relevant officials to participate in the process of seeking ratification by China. He and his colleagues agreed that it is very important for China to join ITPGRFA and cooperate to promote its purpose. With Mr. Nnadozie’s presence, the representative of FAO in China and the DPRK, Dr. Vincent Martin will also spare his time to join in this important seminar.

The Secretary-General of CBCGDF, Dr. Zhou Jinfeng, every pointed out, that one expected outcome of the seminar would be promoting the conservation and benefit sharing of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture in China, enhance China’s agricultural ecological security and biodiversity conservation, and play an active role in global environmental governance.

In 2016, CBCGDF’s Chairman complied a recommendation proposed to the CPPCC, recommending China’s joining in ITPGRFA. China was one of the first parties to sign and ratify conventions including the Convention on Biological Diversity. China also ratified the ground-breaking Nagoya Protocol. China has not yet joined ITPGRFA.

For more coming up details on the Seminar, welcome to follow CBCGDF Wechat account ChinaGreenExpress, stay tuned!

(Photo credit: FAO)

By / Niu Jingmei, Lu Lei