Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG AnGR)

Context: In the recently concluded 12th Session of the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group (ITWG) on Animal Genetic Resources (AnGR) at Rome during 18 -20 January 2023, India was elected as Vice-Chair and represented Asia and Pacific region.

About WG AnGR:

• The Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO)’s Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) established the Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture at its Seventh Regular Session, in 1997.
• Its purpose is to:
  • review the situation and issues related to agrobiodiversity in the area of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture and advise and make recommendations to the Commission on these matters;
  • consider the progress made in implementing the Commission’s programme of work on animal genetic resources for food and agriculture as well as any other matters referred to it by the Commission;
  • report to the Commission on its activities.

About Food and Agricultural Organization:

• FAO is a United Nations specialized agency that leads international efforts to end hunger.
• Every year on October 16th, the world celebrates World Food Day.
  • The day commemorates the anniversary of the FAO’s founding in 1945.
• It is one of the United Nations food aid organizations based in Rome (Italy).
• The World Food Programme and the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD) are its sister organizations.

Flagship Publications of FAO:

• The State of World Fisheries and Aquaculture (SOFIA).
• The State of the World’s Forests (SOFO).
• The State of Food Security and Nutrition in the World (SOFI).
• The State of Food and Agriculture (SOFA).
• The State of Agricultural Commodity Markets (SOCO).

About Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA):

• The Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is the only permanent intergovernmental body that specifically addresses all components of biological diversity for food and agriculture.
• It aims to reach international consensus on policies for the sustainable use and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture and the fair and equitable sharing of benefits derived from their use.
• The Commission initiates, oversees and guides the preparation of global sectoral and cross-sectoral assessments of genetic resources for food and agriculture.
• As of July 2014, 178 countries and The European Union are Members of the Commission.
• Membership of the Commission, which is open to all Members of FAO, shall be composed of those Members which notify the Director-General in writing of their desire to become members.
• Membership of the Commission does not place any financial burden on the Government.
• The Commission, so far, has established the following intergovernmental technical working groups:
  • Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG AnGR)
  • Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Aquatic Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG AqGR)
  • Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Forest Genetic Resources (WG FGR)
  • Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (WG PGR)

Source: PIB

Previous Year Question

Q.1) Consider the following statements:

1. “The Climate Group” is an international non-profit organization that drives climate action by building large networks and runs them.
2. The International Energy Agency in partnership with the Climate Group launched a global initiative “EP100”.
3. EP100 brings together leading companies committed to driving innovation in energy efficiency and increasing competitiveness while delivering on emission reduction goals.
4. Some Indian companies are members of EP100.
5. The International Energy Agency is the Secretariat to the “Under2 Coalition”.

Which of the statements given above are correct?

1. 1, 2, 4 and 5
2. 1, 3 and 4 only
3. 2, 3 and 5 only
4. 1, 2, 3, 4 and 5