International Collaboration in Plant Genetic Resources: The Role of IBPGR

Abstract

Since its inception, almost 20 years ago, international collaboration has played a central role for IBPGR in carrying out its mission to strengthen the conservation and use of plant genetic resources. Such collaboration is necessary as IBPGR possesses neither genebanks nor research facilities. An examination is made of the variety of forms and functions of present and future international collaboration, including: 1) a shift from IBPGR’s direct involvement in collection and conservation in the early years towards collaboration with national programmes to assist them to conserve and use plant genetic resources (PGR) more effectively; 2) increased emphasis on a variety of network forms including regional networks and crop-based networks that encourage conservation and use of PGR among countries in a region; 3) focus on clarifying and advising on issues which may be constraints in collaboration including guidelines for the safe movement of germplasm, on policies regarding sovereignty of germplasm and intellectual property rights, formulating standards for more efficiently conserving germplasm in genebanks and developing standard systems for documenting germplasm accessions; 4) closer collaboration with other international agricultural research centres (IARCs) and other international organizations as centres for expertise and regional training on PGR; 5) strengthening the PGR component of existing networks such as the Bamboo and Rattan Network; 6) developing collaborative arrangements or contracting with universities in developed or developing countries, institutions to carry out research and development on topics such as genetic diversity study, management of landraces, community-based conservation, or recalcitrant seeds; 7) collaboration with donor organizations to secure funds for both IBPGR and national programme institutions. The advantages of this collaborative mode of operation include increased flexibility to respond to changing conservation needs and opportunities, and cost effectiveness in a world where PGR must be sustainably conserved in the face of limited funding. Changes in IBPGR management and strategy, including increased decentralization to 5 regional offices will facilitate improved regional collaboration. The Asia, Pacific and Oceania region is particularly decentralized with a regional office based in Singapore and coordination offices in Beijing and New Delhi. It is expected that IBPGR’s emphasis on international collaboration should facilitate greater regional involvement and strengthening of such institutions as NPGRC. An example is presented of the achievements from collaboration through the Regional Committee for South-East Asia (RECSEA).