APSA, with support from several collaborators, successfully conducted the first-ever regional consultation on PVP and ABS-related topics in April 2024. This consultation was the first regional platform that brought the private sector and the public sector to exchange and understand the perspectives on development of Plant variety protection (PVP), farmer rights laws, biodiversity regulations, and key policies that enable access and Benefit sharing (ABS) of genetic resources for the users (primarily the seed sector). This consultation also created an opportunity to understand the countries’ views on the negotiations and meetings before contracting parties’ meetings, such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and International Treaties on Plant and Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA).
To continue our efforts in the Asia Pacific region on matters related to PVP and Biodiversity, including ABS of Genetic Resources, we are pleased to announce that the APSA 2025 Regional Plant Variety Protection and Biodiversity Consultation will be held from August 26-28, 2025, in Tokyo, Japan. The first 2 days will be the discussion on Plant Variety Protection that includes DUS testing, EDV, alignment with UPOV and PVP enforcement. It will also include a visit to the office of the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries of Japan on August 27th. On the third day (August 28th), we will be discussing the ABS regulations of the participating countries and international conventions such as the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) and the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA). It will also be an opportunity to engage with officials from other countries in the region and stakeholders working on PVP and ABS matters.
This regional consultation is organized by APSA Standing Committee on IPR and Biodiversity with support from American Seed Trade Association, Croplife Asia, and SEMAE in partnership with the Japan Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Japan Seed Trade Association (JASTA), and Mekong US Partnership Project.
For any queries, contact Shivendra Bajaj (shivendra@apsaseed.org) or Xiaofeng Li (xiaofeng@apsaseed.org)