Rome, Italy
16 January 202
South Africa has joined the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, by depositing it’s instrument of accession with the Director-General of the FAO, making it the 154th Contracting Party to the International Treaty. In doing so, South Africa is reaffirming its commitment to global efforts to conserve and sustainably use plant genetic resources essential for food security and agricultural biodiversity.
“We are delighted to start 2025 by warmly welcoming South Africa to the International Treaty family. It isa significant milestone in the global efforts to address food security, biodiversity conservation, and climate resilience. South Africa’s rich agricultural heritage and biodiversity will contribute immensely to the Treaty’s objectives, while its farmers, researchers, and institutions stand to benefit from the Treaty’s systems and mechanisms. We look forward to collaborating closely as we all work to create a more resilient and food-secure world for everyone, everywhere,” said Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty.
Her Excellency, Ambassador Nosipho Nausca-Jean Jezile, South African Permanent Representative to FAO, expressed the nation’s enthusiasm for joining the Treaty: "South Africa recognizes the pivotal role of plant genetic resources in ensuring food security and adapting to the challenges of climate change. By acceding to the International Treaty, we are reaffirming our commitment to conserving our unique biodiversity and collaborating with the global community to achieve sustainable and resilient food systems. This step aligns with our national priorities, as well as the FAO Strategy on Mainstreaming Biodiversity Across Agricultural Sectors, and reinforces our role as a key player in advancing agricultural sustainability."
The National Plant Genetic Resources Centre (NPGRC) of South Africa maintains approximately 6 300 accessions of different crops and is responsible for ex situ conservation of more than 700 species, including beans, cowpeas, Bambara groundnuts, maize and sorghum.
Agriculture is an important part of South Africa's domestic economy, particularly as an employer. South Africa food crop production includes maize, soybean, sunflower seeds, wheat, sugarcane, rapeseed, barley, potatoes, sorghum, peanuts, beans and fruit. There are at least 16 plants indigenous to Southern Africa, including sour fig, jelly melon, finger millet, pearl millet, African potato, marula, sorghum, Bambara groundnuts and cowpea. Indigenous vegetables include Amanath, cassava and marama bean. South Africa is also well-known for its grapes and wine production.
“With South Africa, the International Treaty membership grows to 154 Contracting Parties, including the European Union and most of the countries in Africa,” Secretary Nnadozie pointed out. “We look forward to having all nations join in our collective efforts to save and share the world’s plant genetic resources.”
South Africa’s accession to the International Treaty brings new opportunities for collaboration within the Treaty’s framework, including participation in its Multilateral System, which facilitates access to a global pool of genetic resources.
South Africa is one of the most economically developed and industrialized countries in Africa. Located at the southern tip of African continent, South Africa has a varied topography that includes desert, beaches, subtropical areas, arable land, mineral and metal resources, and rich wildlife.
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