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20th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (CGRFA)

24 March 2025, Video Message by Dr QU Dongyu, FAO Director-General for the 20th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (CGRFA)

Duration 3m52s

Edit Version Full Mix

Video Type Video Message

Date 03/19/2025

File size 418.66 MB

Unique ID UF19P0T

Production details and shotlist

UNFAO Source FAO Photo Library

Script Excellences,
Ladies and Gentlemen

1. In the face of today’s interconnected challenges - from the impacts of natural disasters, biodiversity loss and food insecurity - the work of this Commission is more important than ever.

2. Over the last four decades, the Commission has achieved significant milestones, including:
• negotiation of the International Treaty;
• country-driven global stocktaking assessments;
• global plans of action for plant, animal, forest and aquatic genetic resources; and
• global monitoring and information-sharing systems.

3. And this week, two new global stocktaking assessments will be launched:

• The Second Report on The State of the World’s Forest Genetic Resources; and
• The Third Report on The State of the World’s Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.

4. These reports further highlight the importance of germplasm as Genebanks to address current challenges related to food security, food diversity, and biotic and abiotic stresses.

5. And they highlight the important progress made by many FAO Members in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.

6. Having started my own career in plant breeding and genetics, I am pleased that countries increasingly recognize the importance of genetic resources.

7. Yet, both reports also highlight many gaps such as:
• that genetic conservation and breeding programmes target less than 2% of tree species;
• that shortages of forest reproductive material pose a challenge for achieving the target of a 3% increase in the global forest area by 2030; and
• that globally 6% of farmers’ varieties or landraces are threatened.

Dear Colleagues,

8. The Commission is the only global intergovernmental body dedicated to all the different components of biodiversity for food and agriculture,

9. And this week you will discuss a broad range of issues, from access and benefit-sharing to the ongoing implementation of the Global Plans of Action, and the Framework for Action on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture.

10. You will explore how, together, we can further support efforts on pollinators, bio-control agents, and other areas that contribute to the transformation of global agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient and more sustainable.

11. I also invite you to reflect on how we can further strengthen these frameworks and ensure that biodiversity is both safeguarded and mainstreamed across agrifood systems, in support of the Four Betters: better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life – leaving no one behind.

12. As we celebrate FAO’s 80th anniversary in 2025, let us reaffirm our commitment to the important work of this Commission in support of the 2030 Agenda, guided by the FAO Strategic Framework 2022-31, in line with FAO’s mandate.

13. Thank you.

QU Dongyu, FAO Director General - Video

Video messages - Qu Dongyu, FAO Director General

2025 DG Video messages - ALL

03 - March

20TH SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE

20th SESSION OF THE COMMISSION ON GENETIC  RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE (CGRFA)

(Standard Video)

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