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Global Crop Diversity Day 2025 at CIP
The International Potato Center (CIP) will host Global Crop Diversity Day 2025 in Lima, Peru, ahead of the Eleventh Governing Body meeting of the International Plant Treaty.
Co-hosted by CIP, the Crop Trust, and the International Plant Treaty Secretariat, this second edition will convene global experts, policymakers, and partners to explore how to future-proof the world’s genebank system.
This year’s discussions will center on the power of cryopreservation and the potential of opportunity crops to strengthen the conservation and use of crop diversity worldwide.
Key highlights include:
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The first deposit to CIP’s new cryo genebank — the first of its kind in South America.
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The launch of Vegetables4Life, a global initiative by WorldVeg to promote vegetable biodiversity.
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Expert panels on advancing the global genebank system through innovation and collaboration.
Insights and outcomes from the event will contribute directly to the Treaty’s Governing Body discussions, shaping the future of global crop diversity conservation.
Catherine Bertini
Chair of the Executive Board, Crop Trust
Geoffrey Hawtin
2024 World Food Prize Laureate
Vania Azevedo
CGIAR Genebanks Director, CGIAR
Sarada Krishnan
Director of Programs, Crop Trust
Maarten van Zonneveld
Genebank Manager, WorldVeg
Rainer Vollmer
International Potato Center
Colin Khoury
Scientist, New York Botanical Garden
David Ellis
CIP Emeritus
César Tapia
Genebank Manager, INIAP Ecuador
Joachim Langbein
Project Lead, GIZ
Dina Lida Gutiérrez Reynoso
Director General of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, INIA
Logotonu Waqainabete
Programme Leader for Genetic Resources, CePaCT
Alejandro Argumedo
Program Director, ANDES
Stef de Haan
Senior scientist on Andean Food Systems, CIP
Bettina Heider
Genetic Resources Specialist, CIP
Alvaro Toledo
Deputy Secretary, International Plant Treaty
Daniel van Gilst
Senior Agriculture Adviser, Norad
Marie Noelle Ndjiondjop
Head of Genetic Resources, Africa Rice
Stefan Schmitz
Executive Director, Crop Trust
Simon Heck
Direcor General, CIP
Michael Keller
Secretary General, ISF
Opening & Welcoming Remarks
- Catherine Bertini, Chair of the Executive Board, Crop Trust
- Simon Heck, Director General, CIP
SESSION 1 | Closing the gaps in the global genebank system: Fireside chat with Geoff Hawtin
An exploration of the challenges faced by genebanks and possible solutions to strengthen the global system they are all part of.
- Geoffrey Hawtin OBE, 2024 World Food Prize Laureate
- Vania Azevedo, CGIAR Genebanks Director, CGIAR
- Noelle Anglin, Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO
- Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs, Crop Trust
SESSION 2 | Ceremonial Launch of Vegetables4Life
Highlighting the critical role of vegetable diversity in global food and nutrition security.
- Maarten van Zonneveld, Genebank Manager, WorldVeg
- Colin Khoury, Scientist, New York Botanical Garden
SESSION 3 | Cryopreservation: From a regional hub to a global system
Inaugurated in November 2024, CIP’s Cryo Vault is an important milestone for global crop conservation.
- Rainer Vollmer, Associated Scientist – Cryopreservation, CIP
- César Tapia, Genebank Manager, INIAP Ecuador
- Joachim Langbein, Project Lead, GIZ
- Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs, Crop Trust
SESSION 4 | Diversifying production systems for resilience and food security: The role of opportunity crops
A discussion on how neglected crops can strengthen resilience, diversify diets, increase income, and support sustainable farming systems.
- Dina Lida Gutiérrez Reynoso, Director General of Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, INIA
- Oliver King, Director – Biodiversity, MSSRF
- Logotonu Waqainabete, Programme Leader for Genetic Resources, CePaCT
- Alejandro Argumedo, Program Director, ANDES
- Stef de Haan, Senior scientist on Andean Food Systems, CIP
SESSION 5 | Vegetables4Life: Feeling the heat, diversity hotspots that need us now
Experts from Africa and Latin America report on the progress that has been made to conserve and use vegetable biodiversity and chart a way forward.
- Maarten van Zonneveld, Genebank Manager, WorldVeg
- Sognigbe N’Danikou, Scientist, WorldVeg
- Bettina Heider, Genetic Resources Specialist, CIP
- Alvaro Toledo, Deputy Secretary, International Plant Treaty
- Daniel van Gilst, Senior Agriculture Adviser, Norad
SESSION 6 | Looking ahead: Strengthening the global genebank system through collaboration
Concluding the day’s discussions, high-level panelists explore how collaboration can help build a more resilient global genebank system.
- Marie Noelle Ndjiondjop, Head of Genetic Resources, Africa Rice
- Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director, Crop Trust
- Simon Heck, Direcor General, CIP
- Michael Keller, Secretary General, ISF
- Vania Azevedo, CGIAR Genebanks Director, CGIAR
- Alwin Kopse, Head of International Affairs and Food Systems, Swiss Federal Office for Agriculture
Explore CIP campus
Reception