Rejoinder: ‘One CGIAR won’t alter international germplasm collections’

Subject:

Context:

Introduction–

The One CGIAR (Consortium of International Agricultural Research Centers) transition process was born of a recognition that the evolving, interconnected global challenges facing our food systems require a unified and integrated response from the world’s largest publicly-funded agricultural research network.

Governance policy and reform of One CGIAR–

The reforms strengthen CGIAR research centres, boosting their capacity,reach and impact while honouring their constitutions,country hosting agreements, and legal obligations in both letter and spirit.
The germplasm collections held in trust by CGIAR Centers operate under the policy guidance of the governing body of the International Plant Treaty, in line with ‘Article 15’agreements that each of the Centers signed with the governing body.
All Centers remain committed to fulfilling their obligations under theirArticle 15 agreements.
Both the Food and Agriculture Organization and the Global Crop Diversity Trust have been extensively engaged during the One CGIAR transition.
The FAO has an ‘active observer’seat on the CGIAR System Council and has been closely involved in the One CGIAR transition process.
Similarly, CGIAR has worked closely with the Global Crop Diversity Trust throughout the process, including as part of the design and launch of the CGIAR Genebank Initiative.

Major works under One CGIAR–

To date, CGIAR genebanksand breeding programs have distributed over six million germplasm samples through more than 60,000 transfer agreements under the Plant Treaty system.
That equates to 400,000 samples a year, or more than 1,000 samples a day. In 2021 alone, it distributed germplasm samples to recipients in over 110 countries.
Its Genebanks Initiative — and other newly created CGIAR Initiatives — enable it to continue and boost these efforts to safeguard agrobiodiversity and provide thousands of users with access to germplasm.

Concern with the transition process–

The One CGIAR transition process will not alter in any way the conservation, distribution, availability and sustainable use of the international germplasm collections held in trust by CGIAR Centers.
None of the changes outlined in the transition process provides additional influence to private corporations over CGIAR’s work, nor do they reduce the role and influence of host countries, which will maintain their roles on Center Boards.

Way Forward–

Through the transition to a more unified and integrated One CGIAR, our Centers and gene banks will be able to expand their research and innovation, and their support for strengthening the capacity of national programs, while at the same time continuing to distribute germplasm to recipients around the world working to advance food security and agricultural development.