The ECPGR Steering Committee (SC) held its 18th (Mid-Term) meeting in Tbilisi, Georgia, from 1 to 4 June 2026, hosted by the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture (LEPL). The meeting was attended by representatives from 30 Member Countries. Observers from the Crop Trust, EUCARPIA, Euroseeds, European Coordination Let’s Liberate Diversity, and a Ukrainian delegation also attended the meeting.
This mid-term meeting of ECPGR Phase XI (2023–2028) aimed to report and evaluate progress made, specifically on ECPGR priorities, i.e. selected activities towards the implementation of the Plant Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe. Additionally, the SC conducted a SWOT analysis to reflect on ECPGR’s current status, and recommendations for its continuation and improvement were proposed. All country delegates invited the programme to continue into a new Phase XII (2029–2033) and the Secretariat to prepare analyses, proposals for a roadmap and a new budget for discussion at the next (end-of-term) SC meeting in 2028.
Among the outstanding themes warranting further elaboration, the SC mentioned the need for increased involvement of National Coordinators, renewed attention to the ECPGR Communication Strategy and organizational structure, revision and updating of the Plant Genetic Resources Strategy for Europe, development of a specific ECPGR strategy with clear vision and priorities, and increased engagement with the European Commission.
The SC decided on some minor adjustments to the terms of reference of ECPGR and the Genebank Managers Network. The latter was reconfirmed as a permanent structure. The Cryopreservation Working Group also finished its pilot phase and was recommended to continue its existence. The ECPGR priorities for the remaining part of Phase XI were also slightly amended. Hosting of the Secretariat by Bioversity International in Rome, Italy, was reconfirmed until the end of 2028.
Overall, the meeting benefited from the excellent organization and warm hospitality of the Georgian partners and was inspired by the surrounding agrobiodiversity of fruit and other crops in this cradle of grape and wine production. Delegates consolidated their intention to continue their collaboration with renewed confidence in the value of cooperative capacity-building and sharing of responsibilities.
Further details, all background documents, presentations and the final report are available on the dedicated page.