Report of the 19th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Report of the 19th Regular Session of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (Rome, 17-21 July 2023)

Mr Chair, 

• I am speaking on behalf of the Nordic Countries (Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Sweden, and my own country Norway) and Switzerland. (We fully align ourselves with the EU statement.)
• This year, we celebrate the 40th anniversary of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. We believe that genetic resources are the very foundation for future sustainable and resilient food systems and forestry. 
• We fully endorse the conclusions and recommendations in the Report of the 19th Regular Session of the Commission. Particularly, we support the recommendation that the FAO Council requests FAO to take into account Commission decisions when developing budget allocations. Particularly, we stress the need for additional resources supporting countries in their efforts to implement the Global Plans of Actions and the Framework for action on biodiversity for food and agriculture. 
• A major milestone at the last Session of the Commission was the establishment of Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Microorganism and Invertebrate Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the Ad Hoc Expert Team on Biodiversity for Food and Agriculture. We request FAO to convene these two new inter-sessional groups before the Twentieth Regular Session of the Commission.
• A year ago, the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework was adopted. It provides new opportunities for strengthening FAO’s work on mainstreaming biodiversity. It also underpins the implementation of the Commission’s global plans for action as well as the International Plant Treaty and the IPPC at the national level. We encourage all Members to take advantage of this momentum when updating their national biodiversity strategies and plans.
• FAO should take a lead in supporting implementation of the Kunming-Montreal framework - both at global and national levels. In order to fully take advantage of the competence of FAO, we call on FAO to finalise the recruitment of the Secretary of the Commission on Genetic Resources and to strengthen FAO’s biodiversity team. 

• Thank you, Mr Chair