Representatives from 34 European countries will gather in Georgia from 1–4 June 2026 for the 18th meeting of the Steering Committee of the European Cooperative Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR), a collaboration with more than 45 years of history. The meeting will be hosted by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and the Scientific Research Center of Agriculture (LEPL).
The Steering Committee is ECPGR’s main decision-making body and brings together National Coordinators from across Europe to guide collaboration on the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food and agriculture. Observers from international organizations and stakeholders – including the Crop Trust, NordGen, Euroseeds, Eucarpia and NGOs – will also participate in the meeting.
Plant genetic resources are the foundation of all agri-food research and innovation. They provide the diversity needed to develop crops that are more productive, resilient to climate change, resistant to pests and diseases, and able to meet changing nutritional and environmental demands. The conservation of genetic diversity is the cornerstone of food security, and European collaboration is essential to ensuring that this diversity is protected for generations to come.
"Hosting this meeting in Georgia reflects the importance of strong European cooperation in safeguarding our shared agricultural heritage," said Lasha Dolidze, Deputy Minister, Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia. "Plant genetic resources are a common heritage and a strategic asset for future generations. Only through close collaboration across countries and institutions can we ensure their effective conservation, sustainable use, and continued contribution to food security, biodiversity and climate resilience."
During the meeting, delegates will review the activities and achievements of the first two and a half years of ECPGR Phase XI, which runs from 2024 to 2028, and discuss the next steps for the remainder of the programme period.
Reports will cover the status of key assets provided by ECPGR to the European region, including the European Catalogue for Plant Genetic Resources (EURISCO), the European Genebank Integrated System (AEGIS), and the European Evaluation Network (EVA) public–private partnerships. Additional assets to be reviewed include the open-access Genetic Resources journal, among others.
Opportunities to enhance collaboration to improve the quality of conservation and innovative use of plant genetic resources will be discussed.
Strong collaboration at the European level remains essential to safeguard plant diversity and ensure that countries can respond collectively and effectively to future challenges.
"European collaboration in the field of plant genetic resources delivers benefits on multiple fronts," said Jens Weibull, Chair of the ECPGR Executive Committee. "By working together through ECPGR, European countries can pool expertise, optimize the use of resources, and share knowledge to build a more innovative, sustainable and resilient agri-food system."
More information about the meeting and agenda is available on the ECPGR website.