COP17 side events

Together, we will examine genetic diversity issues that are key to achieving our biodiversity targets. What does the future of sustainable food systems look like? In what ways can we increase the use of underutilised crops? How does the Svalbard Global Seed Vault safeguard the world's crop diversity? 

Learn more about the work behind these themes and what actions lies ahead in safeguarding biodiversity for the benefit of societies.

The side events are organised in collaboration with the Nordic Council of Ministers at the Nordic Pavilion. The venue can be found in the map here (see Level 1, PAVILION AREA 1 TERYAN, C). 

Programme

Tuesday 27 October, 12:00-13:00, The Nordic Pavilion

Unlocking genetic diversity: Genebanks use of Digital Sequence Information (DSI) today, and why it matters for future food security 

Digital Sequence Information (DSI) refers to digital data derived from genetic resources. While there is not yet an internationally agreed definition of what DSI covers, it is generally understood to include DNA and RNA sequence data and may also cover information on proteins, amino acids and molecular structures. However, DSI is rapidly becoming a vital tool for the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources for food and agriculture and is accelerating scientific innovation within pharmaceuticals and biotechnology.

This side event will bring together leading experts to explore how genebanks are already using DSI in their daily work and how they are preparing for the sequencing era. The speakers will share practical examples of how DSI can strengthen the conservation and characterization of genetic resources, support breeding, and contribute to global food security. The discussion will also cover the the evolving policy landscape surrounding DSI and provide predictions about the future development.

Speakers:

•    ITPGRFA – Alvaro Toledo
•    CGIAR – Mathieu Rouard
•    Novo Nordisk Foundation – Claus Felby
•    Environmental Affairs Department, Malawi – Mphatso Martha Kalemba
•    NordGen – Fuad Gasi

Wednesday 28 October, 10:00-11:00, The Nordic Pavilion

Genebanks for biodiversity: Maximizing the potential of plant genetic resources in genebank systems and increasing the sustainable use of underutilized crops

A wide range of crop diversity is important for increasing agricultural resilience to climate change, pests, and diseases, and for providing better nutrition. More than 850 genebanks around the world collectively conserve almost 6 million samples of crop diversity. These collections contain genetic diversity of crops with great value for food and agriculture, but today many of these resources are only marginally used in our modern food systems. For example, only six crops (rice, wheat, maize, potato, soybean, and sugarcane) account for more than 75% of total plant-derived energy in-take.

So how can we increase the sustainable use of plant genetic resources stored in genebanks to enrich the production of food, fodder, fibre, and medicines? This side event will focus on the role of genebanks in creating sustainable food systems and highlight the opportunities and challenges facing the sector. The speakers will also present current initiatives on underutilized crops and look ahead to identify the key actions needed to unlock the full potential of the world’s genebank collections.

Speakers:

•    NordGen – Fuad Gasi
•    CGIAR (ICRISAT Niger) – Falalou Hamidou
•    Crop Trust – TBD

Wednesday 28 October, 12:00-13:00, The Nordic Pavilion

Svalbard Global Seed Vault: From an Arctic archipelago to global food security

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault is the world's largest backup facility for crop diversity, making it a crucial outpost for global food security. Today the Seed Vault contains more than 1,4 million seed samples of more than 6,500 plant species from 134 depositors. In this –18°C facility, genebanks are offered free black-box safety deposit for seeds that are vital to the world’s food supply. Altogether, the seed samples in the Seed Vault originate from almost every country in the world. In 2026, the global significance of the initiative was highlighted by a nomination for the Nobel Peace Prize and the Seed Vault also received the Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation.

This side event will focus on the mission of the Seed Vault as an ambassador for the conservation of the world's plant genetic resources and give current insights into the work being done in the cold chambers. The program will also highlight the importance of safety backups of seed collections and provide practical information for potential depositors.

Speakers:

•    Kent Nnadozie, Secretary, International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), Italy
•    Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs, Crop Trust, Germany (alt Stefan)
•    Knut Berdal, Specialist Director, Ministry of Agriculture and Food, Norway 
•    Fuad Gasi, Seed Vault Coordinator, NordGen, Sweden
•    Mariana Yazbek, Genebank manager, CGIAR, ICARDA Lebanon
•    Chair: Fuad Gasi, Seed Vault Coordinator, NordGen