The conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are key to ensuring that the world will produce enough food to feed its growing population in the future. In 1983, the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture was established, and the voluntary International Undertaking on Plant Genetic Resources was adopted.

Another major step was taken in 1996 with the adoption of the Global Plan of Action at the Leipzig International Technical Conference on Plant Genetic Resources. All this work culminated in 2001 with the historic adoption of the legally binding International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The Treaty entered into force on 29 June 2004.

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Download the Treaty Timeline with the major meetings, events and milestones