Evaluation of FAO's contribution to Sustainable Development Goal 2 - Protection and fair share of genetic resources for food and agriculture

Genetic resources for food and agriculture are essential to global food production in the face of population and consumption growth and are the building blocks for developing new materials adapted to changing climates, environments and production demands. This study focuses on the links between FAO’s policy work on genetic resources and its related actions at national level. It identifies some of the key opportunities and challenges to expanding and improving its genetic resources work in the context of Sustainable Development Goal 2 (SDG 2) and reviews the degree to which its work contributes to Zero Hunger.The review finds that FAOs work on genetic resources builds on its comparative advantage and mandate in data aggregation and dissemination. FAO is also well positioned as the leading institution on genetic resources for food and agriculture. However, many less developed countries are not very involved with the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. It appears difficult for less developed countries to keep pace with new FAO guidelines, standards and tools.The study recommends that technical and institutional support to enhance national capacity and frameworks should be practical, with a less bureaucratic and technical approach. FAO should continue to produce its State of the World reports, ideally more frequently with data from more countries. Genetic resource support mechanisms should focus more on establishing multi-stakeholder platforms to reduce the risks associated with government transitions and priority changes, especially in developing countries.