Georgia Hosts the 18th Meeting of the ECPGR Steering Committee
The 18th Meeting of the Steering Committee of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) has officially opened in Tbilisi. For the first time, Georgia is hosting the governing body of ECPGR, one of Europe's leading platforms for cooperation in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources.
The international event is hosted by the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, under the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. The meeting brings together national coordinators from 34 European countries, along with representatives of genebanks, scientific and research institutions, and international organizations.
The event was opened by Lasha Avaliani, Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia.
"Plant genetic resources are the foundation of food security, biodiversity conservation, and the development of climate-resilient agriculture. In the face of today's global challenges, international cooperation, knowledge sharing, and joint efforts are more important than ever to ensure the conservation and sustainable use of these valuable resources. We are pleased to host the ECPGR Steering Committee meeting in Georgia and to actively contribute to this important international process," said Lasha Avaliani.
According to Levan Ujmajuridze, Director of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, the meeting once again highlights Georgia's important role in protecting plant genetic resources and preserving agricultural biodiversity.
"Georgia is recognized worldwide for its exceptional agricultural biodiversity and is both a center of origin for many cultivated plant species and a repository of unique genetic resources. Cooperation with international partners is essential for safeguarding our national gene pool, introducing modern scientific approaches, and sharing expertise. Hosting an event of this scale is another testament to Georgia's scientific potential and growing international recognition," said Levan Ujmajuridze.
Georgia has been a member of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) since 2019 and actively participates in the programme's international initiatives.
During the four-day meeting, participants will review the results of the current ECPGR programme phase, discuss the development of the European genebank network, examine modern approaches to plant genetic resource conservation, and identify future priorities for the programme.
The agenda also includes a visit to the Jighaura Research Base of the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, where delegates will explore Georgia's unique collections of grapevine varieties, fruit crops, and other agricultural plant genetic resources.
The 18th ECPGR Steering Committee Meeting will continue in Georgia through 4 June.
