South Africa is 154th Country to Ratify the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

On January 16, 2025, South Africa joined the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, by depositing its instrument of accession with the Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), making it the 154th Contracting Party to the International Treaty and the first new member for 2025.

South Africa is reaffirming its commitment to global efforts to conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources essential for food security and agricultural biodiversity. The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC) of South Africa has approximately 6,300 accessions of different crops and is responsible for the ex situ conservation of more than 700 species, including beans, cowpeas, Bambara groundnuts, maize and sorghum.

“We are delighted to start 2025 by warmly welcoming South Africa to the International Treaty family. It is a significant milestone in the global efforts to address food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. South Africa's rich agricultural heritage and biodiversity will contribute immensely to the Treaty's objectives, while its farmers, researchers, and institutions stand to benefit from the Treaty's systems and mechanisms,” said Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty.

Her Excellency, Ambassador Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, South African Permanent Representative to FAO, expressed the nation's enthusiasm in joining the Treaty: "South Africa recognizes the pivotal role of plant genetic resources in ensuring food security and adapting to the challenges of climate change. By acceding to the International Treaty, we are reaffirming our commitment to conserving our unique biodiversity and collaborating with the global community to achieve sustainable and resilient food systems. This step aligns with our national priorities, as well as the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors, and reinforces our role as a key player in advancing agricultural sustainability."

For more details, read the article in the FAO News.