6th Session of the Governing Body (GB 6) of the International Treaty
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA)

On Friday afternoon, plenary convened to adopt the report of the meeting and pending resolutions, including on sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture (PGRFA), farmers’ rights, the Funding Strategy and the Global Information System on PGRFA.

Plenary addressed the work programme and budget as discussed in the budget committee, and adopted it without discussion.

Delegates adopted a resolution on the Secretary of the Treaty, which provides for: extending the appointment of the current Secretary until GB 7 in 2017; requesting the FAO Secretariat to prepare a procedure for renewal of the appointment of the Secretary and a proposal on possible adjustments to the appointment procedure, examining also the matter of maximum term limits for the Secretary, for GB 7 consideration; and including the item in the GB 7 agenda.

Delegates gave standing ovations to bid farewell to Elizabeth Matos (Angola) and Modesto Fernández (Cuba), long-standing ITPGRFA delegates, to recognize their achievements as delegates, Bureau members and meeting Chairs. Matos expressed disappointment about the slow pace of farmers’ rights implementation and lack of attention to benefit-sharing. Fernández encouraged delegates to enhance the Treaty to prove that PGRFA can be conserved for future generations.

Italy announced a contribution of ­€1.084 million to the Benefit-sharing Fund, the Treaty’s core operations and implementation of the work programme on sustainable use.

Chair Worrell gavelled the meeting to a close at 7:51 pm.