:: vision paper on the development of the global information system in the context of Article 17 of the Treaty

i) Article 17 of the International Treaty states that “Contracting Parties shall cooperate to develop and strengthen a global information system to facilitate the exchange of information, based on existing information systems, on scientific, technical and environmental matters related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture”. ii) At its Third Session, the Governing Body requested the Secretariat to develop a vision paper to be presented to the Fourth Session of the Governing Body to take stock of existing information systems and to outline a process for the development of this global information system. iii) The present document describes the existing major information systems on plant genetic resources for food and agriculture as well as number of related initiatives. The document outlines a number of activities that may be undertaken in the next biennium for the effective development and strengthening of a coherent global information system pursuant to Article 17 of the Treaty.