The Thirteenth Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open-ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the Multilateral System (MLS-13), is convening from the 1 to 4 April at the FAO Headquarters. MLS-13 was preceded by regional and interregional consultations on 30 and 31 March, as advance discussions on improving the Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing under the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
Malaysia is represented by Dr. Mohd. Norfaizal Ghazalli, Deputy Director of the Agrobiodiversity and Environment Research Centre, Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute (MARDI), who also represents the Asia Regional group.
MLS-13 brings together governments, experts, and stakeholders to negotiate solutions that support global food security and agricultural biodiversity. Key objectives of the MLS-13 are: strengthening mechanisms for equitable access to plant genetic resources enhancing benefit-sharing arrangements, particularly financial contributions to the Benefit-sharing Fund; addressing stakeholder concerns and regional priorities through consultations; and finalising proposals for a more effective, transparent, and sustainable Multilateral System.
