India elected vice-chair of panel on animal genetic resources at FAO session
30 Jan 2023
The UN Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) at its 12th session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) at Rome during 18 -20 January 2023, elected India as vice-chair to represent Asia and Pacific region.
Dr B N Tripathi, Deputy Director General (Animal Sciences), ICAR, and the National Coordinator, vice-chaired the session and also act as rapporteur.
The working group, established by the FAO’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA), reviews technical issues, advises and makes recommendations to the commission and further implements the commission's programme related to AnGR at global level.
The 12th session of ITWG reviewed the implementation of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, monitoring of AnGR diversity and the preparation of third country report. The session also discussed the role of microorganisms relevant to ruminant digestion, role of genetic resources in mitigating and adapting to climate change; access and benefit-sharing for AnGR; digital sequence information and potential implications for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources.
Earlier, during the Global National Coordinators’ Workshop of the ITWG session held at FAO head quarters, from 16 t 17 January 2023, Dr Tripathi shared the country’s experience in updating data on domestic animal diversity – information system (DAD-IS) and presented framework for cataloguing native populations, including breed registration, notification system etc. Members appreciated India’s national priorities for germplasm cryopreservation and documenting non-descript AnGR to fulfil SDG indicators.