Ukraine has officially joined the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, becoming its 156th Contracting Party after depositing its instrument of accession with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). The move reinforces international efforts to conserve and share plant genetic resources that are essential for global food security and sustainable agriculture.
Ukraine is home to plant genetic materials of global importance, including wheat, barley, oats, legumes, forage crops, and other key agricultural species. By joining the treaty, the country gains access to the Treaty’s Multilateral System of Access and Benefit-sharing (MLS), a global network containing more than 2 million plant genetic resources used by farmers, researchers, and plant breeders to develop climate-resilient and disease-resistant crops.
The decision comes at a critical time as Ukraine continues rebuilding its agricultural sector amid the ongoing impacts of war. Access to the international system will support crop breeding, strengthen food security, and improve the long-term resilience of the country’s agriculture.
As part of its commitment, Ukraine plans to deposit more than 1,000 seed samples of grain and forage crops, including maize, legumes, buckwheat, and rye, into the Svalbard Global Seed Vault later this year. The contribution will help preserve valuable crop diversity for future generations.
Ukraine’s accession follows international efforts to protect its nationally significant genebank after it faced serious threats during the conflict in 2022. Ranked among the world’s largest genebanks, the collection contains over 154,300 plant samples representing more than 2,000 species, including unique Ukrainian varieties of wheat, barley, chickpeas, and sunflowers. A duplicate storage center established in 2025 now provides additional long-term protection for these valuable genetic resources.
By joining the treaty, Ukraine strengthens global cooperation in conserving crop diversity, promoting sustainable agriculture, and ensuring that vital plant genetic resources remain accessible to support food production and climate resilience worldwide.
