The Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources — The road to common understanding and agreement

The first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, took place from 3 to 7 September, 2007, in Interlaken, Switzerland. The main achievement of the Conference was the adoption of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, the first ever international framework for the promotion of the wise management of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, endorsed by governments. The article describes the technical and intergovernmental processes developing the Global Plan of Action. The adoption of the Global Plan of Action has created unprecedented momentum for promoting the sustainable use, development and conservation of the world's livestock diversity. The international community is now facing the challenge to ensure that the Global Plan of Action is effectively implemented.