In order to further respond positively to President Xi Jinping’s call for “construction of global ecological civilization, deep participation in global environmental governance, and formation of solutions for world environmental protection and sustainable development", China will enhance its voice and initiative in the formulation of global environmental governance game rules. On July 10, the Seminar on "The Mainstreaming of Agricultural Biodiversity and International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)” was successfully held in Beijing hosted by China Biodiversity Conservation and Green Development Foundation (CBCGDF). The seminar was supported by the United Nation’s Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and the Secretariat of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). Among the heavyweight guests attending the seminar, in addition to the Secretary of FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) Mr. Kent Nnadozie, the FAO Representative in China and the experts from relative institute and universities, it also includes Dr. René Castro Salazar, the FAOs Climate, Biodiversity, Land and Water Department Assistant-Director General.

This seminar focused on the in-depth exchanges, communications, and discussions of the technical puzzles and operational difficulties of China's current accession to ITPGRFA, and provides a scientific and objective expert discussion platform for China's accession to ITPGRFA negotiations. It also explored "how to mainstream agricultural biodiversity" in the context of the upcoming Fifteenth Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD CoP15), as well as the natural-based solutions. This expert seminar supplemented the puzzles of the experts in the negotiation of international agricultural treaties, aiming to help our country gain more initiative and benefits in global environmental governance in the future.

CBCGDF builds a platform for the exchange of biodiversity of genetic resources, bringing together leading experts, scholars and relevant departments in the fields of food and agriculture genetic resources and environmental law to jointly promote the development of the biodiversity-related international rules on global environmental governance, genetic resources and so on. In November 2017, the CBCGDF officially became an ITPGRFA observer for FAO. In February 2018, the CBCGDF and ITPGRFA conducted in-depth discussions on issues of common interest such as the digital sequence of genetic resources. In the summer of 2018, the CBCGDF communicated with FAO, contributed and facilitated the convening of the seminar in March and the seminar this time. In this regard, Dr. Castro believes that this seminar will help policymakers and relevant officials to participate in the process of seeking China's acceptance, and will further promote China's accession to ITPGRFA as soon as possible. In the short report, Dr. Castro introduced the concept of "Beautiful China" and its origins, which he hopes will be integrated into ITPGRFA along with the sustainable use of fisheries, water resources, and agriculture. Furthermore, he mentioned that he and his colleagues agreed that it is very important for China to join the "International Treaty" and cooperate to promote its purpose, and he is very happy to be able to attend this seminar in person.

Dr. Castro's report at the seminar focused on the introduction and interpretation of the sustainable use of fisheries, water, and agriculture, as well as the huge impact of rising temperatures on human migration. Specifically, his power point selections of this seminar are organized as follows to readers:

“Dr. Castro said: "There are now 5.8 million known species in the world, of which more than 3,000 are animal species. However, 66% of the world's population depends on only 9 of these species and 11 major plant species. With the changing climate, if we fail to implement this treaty well, the human will face more and greater dangers. Therefore, this treaty is a very effective tool to help us avoid future crises as much as possible.”

“How to make effective use of water is also very important. According to the chart, we need 15,000 liters of water to produce a kilogram of meat, and 13 liters of water to produce an apple. And now we need more wealth to produce meat crops, to live a better life, which means we need to consume more water.”

1. Each red dot in the picture represents people who have to leave their hometown to make a new life because of rising temperatures. They are all victims of climate change.

2. Many people are moving from Africa and South America to the United States or Europe; moving from Arabs to Saudi Arabia; moving from Pacific islands to Australia or Japan; many Chinese people from rural area are moving to the urban area.

3. Therefore, if we cannot do our job well, climate change and disasters will cause more and more large-scale human migration, and we cannot afford to lose.

4. In the meantime, is there any effective tool in our hands? Yes, it is our International Treaty. We are hoping that Chinese activists, experts, and traditional Chinese knowledge will be more involved in the negotiation process of the International Treaties, and we hope to get more contributions from China.

In addition, it is particularly worth mentioning that this seminar is a meeting to practice the spirit of the Green Meeting Index (GMI). In the agenda, the organizer (CBCGDF) has notified all the guests in advance and suggested green travel, bring personal water cup, the venue does not provide disposable bottled water, etc. Another highlight of the meeting was the biodiversity-friendly lunch provided by the Good Food Fund and Beijing Organic and Beyond Corporation (OABC), the delicious and healthy food was well received by all the guests.

Dr. Rene Castro (left) and Mr. Kent Nandozie, the Secretary of the UN FAO's ITPGRFA (Photo credit: CBCGDF, please indicate the source.)

(Photo credit: CBCGDF）

(Photo credit: Dr. Rene Castro, please indicate the source.)

(Photo credit: CBCGDF)

By / Xue Tongtong