This decision has been retired.
FAO GLOBAL SYSTEM FOR THE CONSERVATION AND UTILIZATION OF
PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES FOR FOOD AND AGRICULTURE
The Conference of the Parties,
Recognizing the special nature of agricultural biodiversity, its distinctive features and problems
needing distinctive solutions,
Taking note of the Global System for the Conservation and Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
for Food and Agriculture developed by member countries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the
United Nations (FAO) through the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources, and the recommendation
for strengthening it expressed in chapter 14 of Agenda 21;
Recalling that Resolution 3 of the Nairobi Final Act of the Conference for the Adoption of the
Agreed Text of the Convention on Biological Diversity recognized "the need to seek solutions to outstanding
matters concerning plant genetic resources within the Global System for the Conservation and Use of Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and Sustainable Agriculture, in particular (a) access to ex-situ collections not
acquired in accordance with this Convention; and (b) the question of farmers' rights",
1. Considers that the outstanding matters should be resolved as soon as possible;
2. Declares its support for the process engaged in the FAO Commission on Plant Genetic Resources to
comply with these recommendations, especially through:
(1) The implementation of FAO Conference Resolution 7/93 for the adaptation of the
International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources, in harmony with the Convention of Biological
Diversity;
(2) Convening the Fourth International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources for
Food and Agriculture through which two important elements of the Global System, the first State of the
World report on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the first Global Plan of Action for
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, are being developed through a country-driven process.
