Peru to Host Global Meeting on Plant Genetic Resources

For the first time in history, Peru will host the Governing Body meeting of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), a global event aimed at preserving, utilizing, and managing biodiversity resources essential for food and agriculture worldwide. The meeting, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), will bring together representatives from various countries to discuss critical issues surrounding the sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

Peru’s selection as the host country underscores the nation’s critical role in the preservation of agricultural biodiversity. The country is home to a vast array of plant species, many of which are foundational to global food security. As Minister of Agriculture, Ángel Manero, stated, “We believe that Peru is a good place to reach consensus. This is a great opportunity to highlight our biodiversity, with native products like the native potato, Andean grains, and tarwi being promoted. This global event represents a turning point, showing how the country can leverage its resources to improve the lives of small-scale farmers.”

The event offers a unique opportunity to reaffirm Peru’s leadership in the preservation and utilization of these vital resources. Agricultural biodiversity is a cornerstone of Peru’s cultural, gastronomic, and economic identity. The meeting will serve as a platform to showcase Peru’s efforts to combat climate change, food insecurity, and limited development opportunities, while emphasizing the importance of biodiversity in tackling these challenges.

The theme of the meeting, “Fostering Biodiversity and Food Security: Preserving Heritage, Cultivating a Shared Future,” will explore the crucial link between biodiversity conservation and food security, with a particular focus on traditional and ancestral food crops like the potato. This focus will highlight the rich traditional knowledge and agricultural practices of Peru, a country recognized as a vital center of origin for grains, fruits, and tubers. Peru’s unique biodiversity, especially in crops such as the potato, has been central to global food security.

Minister Manero further emphasized, “Just as we have a rich biodiversity, we also face climatic challenges, such as reduced water availability. We must move quickly to develop seeds that are resistant to temperature fluctuations and require less water. There is technology available worldwide to help us advance this process.”

The selection of Peru as the host country for the Eleventh ITPGRFA Governing Body meeting will bring numerous benefits. It will significantly boost Peru’s international image, as this is the first time the event will be held in Latin America and the Caribbean. It also offers a chance for the global community to acknowledge Peru’s contributions to biodiversity and agricultural sustainability.

The National Institute of Agrarian Innovation (INIA) has been appointed as the focal point responsible for organizing the meeting in Peru. Coordination meetings have already begun to finalize the event’s program and establish agreements, such as a letter of understanding and a memorandum of responsibilities between INIA and the ITPGRFA. These agreements will define the necessary actions to ensure the event’s success.

The upcoming Governing Body meeting will consist of two days of regional consultations, followed by five days of discussions on technical and policy issues. The event will conclude with field activities in rural areas of Peru, where participants will have the opportunity to witness firsthand the agricultural biodiversity the country offers to the world, including varieties of potatoes, maize, and Andean grains.

Key topics at the meeting will include the adoption of a new Standard Material Transfer Agreement and measures to enhance the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit Sharing. Other key issues will focus on the implementation of Farmers’ Rights and the Global Biodiversity Framework in relation to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture.

The event will also serve to strengthen Peru’s image as a diverse and economically developing country focused on agricultural growth and food security. It will spotlight the role of farmers and indigenous communities in conserving biodiversity, furthering the global recognition of Peru’s commitment to sustainable agricultural practices.

Peru’s leadership in organizing this landmark event reflects its ongoing dedication to biodiversity conservation and agricultural sustainability. The ITPGRFA meeting offers the country an unparalleled opportunity to engage with the global community, share its expertise, and promote its agricultural products as vital resources for food security. This historic event will not only have a significant impact on the global discussion around food security and biodiversity but will also pave the way for future international collaborations aimed at fostering a sustainable and inclusive agricultural future.