[caption id="attachment_148558" align="alignright" width="142"] Opening of the training workshop on implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) in Karaj[/caption]
The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO)has called for the establishment of a ‘National Information Sharing Mechanism’ (NISM) on plant genetic resources to secure the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic diversity in the Islamic Republic of Iran.
The ‘National Information Sharing Mechanism’ (NISM) provides an invaluable tool not only to share knowledge and experience on plant genetics, but also to facilitate the development of strategies for the use of such resources to enhance agriculture and thereby ensure that the growing global population will continue to have access to adequate, safe and nutritious food to meet its needs.

A similar mechanism and process has been completed in more than 75 countries worldwide, including Turkey, Pakistan, India, Oman and more recently Egypt, Jordan and Lebanon.


Comission on Genetic REsources For Food and Agriculture 


Participants from a broad range of national governmental research and academic institutions involved in genetic resources for food and agriculture met in Karaj for a national workshop to discuss implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) under the framework of an FAO international project on the use of PGRFA for the use of adaptation to climate change.

During the workshop, Mr. Serge Nakouzi, the FAO Representative to the Islamic Republic of Iran, highlighted the importance of plant genetic resources in promoting food security and safeguarding agricultural biodiversity.


From left to right: Dr. Stefano Diulgheroff, Information Management Officer of the Plant Production and Protection Division of FAO & Mr. Serge Nakouzi, Representitive of FAO in I.R. Iran. “At a time when the impact of climate change is being increasing felt and is forecast to be quite significant, plant genetic biodiversity constitutes an essential role to provide the basic components to reinforce the capacity of crops and the agricultural sector of countries, such as Iran, to respond effectively to the challenges posed by climate change and the resulting threats of food insecurity”, stated Mr. Nakouzi.

FAO is the lead global authoritative body on biodiversity and genetic resources for food and agriculture.

In 1983FAO established the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (now Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture), an international forum to discuss issues of access and benefit-sharing regarding genetic resources. Subsequently, in 1996 FAO developed and facilitated the adoption of the Global Plan of Action for the conservation and sustainable use of Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA). In 2004 the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture came to force and was ratified by 133 countries including Islamic Republic of Iran.


The National Workshop on “Monitoring and Reporting on the Implementation of the Second Global Plan of Action” on “Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture for Adaptation to Climate Change (PGRFA)” was conducted by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in collaboration with the Seed and Plant Improvement Institute (SPII) of the Ministry of Jihad-e Agriculture from 27 to 28 January 2015.

By United Nations In Iran

 

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