Conserving Diversity: The Challenge of Cooperation

Plant genetic resources for food and agriculture are the quintessential global public good. No nation is self-reliant. A viable market for their conservation and trade does not exist. The importance of these resources is likely to grow in the context of climate change, energy and water constraints. Yet, true international cooperation to conserve and make them available is difficult to achieve. What are the principles can be identified that might guide us in creating an effective Global System for conserving plant genetic resources? How can we get agriculture ready to meet the challenges of this century? What is the way forward in this International Year of Biodiversity?