The Convention on Biological Diversity, which went into effect in late December, is now set to provide the international legal framework for the conservation and sustainable use of biological diversity worldwide. This Convention, however, left at least two genetic resource- related matters unsettled, specifically, access to ex- situ collections not acquired in accordance with this Convention and farmers' rights.

The FAO is planning a process to address these outstanding issues. According to the most recent FAO Conference, this process includes a planned revision of the voluntary FAO International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources and the convening of the Fourth International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources. The latter will include an involved preparatory process certain to be of interest to members of the CGIAR.

FAO will ask countries to prepare reports on the status of plant genetic resources and national capabilities for conserving and using them, which will be presented at a series of regional meetings around the world. FAO also will establish an interactive communications network to facilitate discussion of key technical and policy matters. The final product: the production of the first Report on the State of the World's Plant Genetic Resources, will provide the basis for the development of a Global Plan of Action.

The FAO Conference noted that these program elements would be "major components of FAO's contribution to, and role in implementing the Convention on Biological Diversity...." The Fifth Session of the Commission on Plant Genetic Resources agreed that the Global Plan of Action and the revised FAO Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources be considered at the International Technical Conference to be attended by prominent people from FAO member countries. The results, if appropriate, could be presented to the Conference of the Parties of the Convention on Biological Diversity, as a possible protocol.

Contact persons for the above activities are:

Dr. Cary Fowler

International Program for Plant Genetic Resources

(4th International Technical Conference)

FAO

Dr. Jose T. Esquinas- Alcazar

Commission on Plant Genetic Resources

FAO