Genetic Resources, Plant Variety Protection and Biodiversity Regional Consultation 22 - 25 April 2024 / Bangkok, Thailand

APSA is pleased to announce the “Genetic Resources, Plant Variety Protection and Biodiversity Regional Consultation” to be conducted from 22nd – 25th April 2024 in Thailand. 

The first two days program will involve presentations and facilities visit to National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Gene Bank of Department of Agriculture in Pathum Thani Province. The final two days of expert consultation will be held in Bangkok. Representatives from the government offices of Cambodia, Laos, Thailand and Vietnam and other countries in the region who are directly working on the IP implementation (Plant Variety Protection) and biodiversity laws are expected to participate in the workshop in-person. This event is INVITE ONLY.

AGENDA

Monday, 22 April 2024
Seminar at SD-601, 6th floor, (Saranwit Building (NO.12), National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), Pathum Thani, Thailand
Moderator: Dr. Kanokwan Chodchoey, APSA Standing Committee on Intellectual Property Rights and Biodiversity/ Group Head, Public Affairs of East - West Seed International Ltd.

TIME (GMT+7) AGENDA
07.30 – 08.00

Participants' registration at Novotel, Sukhumvit 20, Bangkok, Thailand
08.00 – 09.30

Transportation to National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
Refreshments
09.30 – 09.45 

Opening Ceremony Session

  • Welcome Remarks by Ms. Francine Sayoc, Executive Director of APSA 
  • Welcome Remarks by Mr. Khalil Hamid, Program Manager, United State Department of Agriculture - Foreign Agricultural Service [TBC]
  • Opening Remarks by President of NSTDA [TBC]
  • Group photo session
09.45 – 10.45

The overview of biodiversity policies in Thailand
[TBC] By representative from Office of Natural Resources and Environmental Policy and Planning (ONEP), Thailand
10.45 – 11.45

Plant germplasm management for national agricultural and food security
Dr. Sissades Tongsima, Director of National Biobank of Thailand, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
11.45 – 13.00

Lunch
13.00 – 15.00

The utilization of plant germplasm in the development of seed industry for export

  • Prof. Dr. Kamon Lertrat, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
  • Prof. Dr. Suchila Techawongstient, Khon Kaen University, Thailand
15.00 – 15.15

Coffee break
15.15 – 17.00

Agricultural technology development to support the Thai industrial sector

  • Dr. Sithichoke Tangphatsornruang , Director of National Omics Center, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
  • Dr. Oraprapai Gajanandana, Research team leader of Monoclonal Antibody Production and Application Research Team, National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
17.00 – 18.00

Transportation to Novotel, Sukhumvit 20

Tuesday, 23 April 2024
Site visiting - National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) and Gene Bank of Department of Agriculture (DOA), Pathum Thani, Thailand

TIME (GMT+7) AGENDA
07.30 – 08.00

Participants' registration at Novotel, Sukhumvit 20, Bangkok, Thailand
08.00 – 09.30

Transportation to Gene Bank of Department of Agriculture (DOA)
Refershments
09.30 – 11.30

Site visiting - Gene Bank of Department of Agriculture (DOA)
 1.30 – 12.00

Transportation to National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA)
12.00 – 13.00

Lunch at SD601, 6th floor, Multi-Purpose Building, NSTDA
13.00 – 15.00

Site visiting - Innovation Cluster II: INC2, NSTDA

  1. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC): Antibody-Based
  2. National Biobank of Thailand (NBT): An integrative germplasm information management system (iGMS), Tissue culture laboratory and advanced cell culture for cryopreservation laboratory, Seed bank for wild plant and germplasm conservation
  3. National Omics Center (NOC): Genomics Laboratory, Proteomics Laboratory, Metabolomics Laboratory
  4. National Center for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (BIOTEC): Herbal Plant Factory
15.00 – 16.00

Transportation to Novotel, Sukhumvit 20

Wednesday, 24 April 2024
Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvt 20
APSA Plant Variety Protection and Biodiversity Regional Consultation
Sessions on Plant Variety Protection
Moderated by Dr Shivendra Bajaj, APSA Technical Advisor

TIME (GMT+7) AGENDA
08.30 – 09.00

Registration
09.00 – 09.10

Welcome participants and introductions 
Ms. Francine Sayoc, APSA Executive Director
09.10 – 09.20

Opening Remarks
Dr. Manish Patel, APSA President
09.20 – 09.30

Brief summary of the seminar on Genetic Resources and site visiting (Day I and Day II)
Mr. Khalil Hamid, Program Manager, USDA-FAS or APSA
09.30 – 09.40

Overview of the consultation on IP and Biodiversity
Dr. Shivendra Bajaj, APSA Technical Advisor
09.40 – 10.10

Plant Variety Protection as a tool to promote plant breeding and development of new varieties for contributing to the food security 
Dr. Szonja Csorgo, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF)
10.10 – 10.50

PVP mechanism in Thailand and its comparison with UPOV
Ms. Thidakoon Saenudom, Director PVP Office, DoA, Thailand
10.50 – 11.15

Coffee break
11.15 – 12.45

Country presentations on PVP laws: each country (15 minutes) 

  • PVP Mechanism: UPOV or sui generis
  • Key similarities and differences from UPOV 
  • How are Farmers’ rights protected? Are there any provisions in the PVP law? 
12.45 – 13.45

Lunch
13.45 – 14.30

Update on recent developments in UPOV and its activities in the Asia Pacific Region 
Mr. Manabu Suzuki, Technical/Regional Officer (Asia) UPOV
14.30 – 15.00

How PVP system supports both farmers’ and breeders’ rights
Szonja Csorgo, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF)
15.00 – 15.20

Co-existence of UPOV and Farmers rights – Vietnam example
Ms. Cam Thi Hang, Officer from the Office of Plant Variety Protection, Department of Crop Production (DCP), Vietnam
15.20 – 15.45

Coffee break
15.45 – 16.15

Breeding methods and IP protection (public and private sector views)
Dr. Kwanghong Lee, Agricultural Researcher, Korea Seed & Variety Service
16.15 – 16.30

Breeders and Role of PVP
Mr. Marc Cool, Global Seed Policy Lead, Corteva AgriScience Ltd
16.30 – 16.45

Participants' Q&A discussion
16.45 – 17.00

Wrap up 
Shivendra Bajaj, APSA Technical Advisor
18.00 – 20.00

Dinner

Thursday, 25 April 2024
Novotel Bangkok Sukhumvt 20
APSA Plant Variety Protection and Biodiversity Regional Consultation
Sessions on Access and Benefit Sharing of Genetic Resources
Moderated by Dr Shivendra Bajaj, APSA Technical Advisor

TIME (GMT+7) AGENDA
09.00 – 09.10

Overview of the day’s session
Shivendra Bajaj, APSA Technical Advisor
09.10 – 09.40

Introduction to Access and Benefit Sharing Mechanisms - CBD, Nagoya Protocol, ITPGRFA (SMTA, enhancement of MLS, Funding mechanism)
Szonja Csorgo, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF)
09.40 – 10.40

Biodiversity regulations and key policies that enable ABS of genetic resources of the participating countries (20 minutes each)

  • Signatory to CBD and/or ITPGRFA? Which instrument they are party to and why?
  • Overview of the ABS system in the country and how a user can access plant genetic resources?
  • Expectations from ongoing discussions at CBD and/or ITPGRFA
10.40 – 11.00

Coffee break
11.00 – 12.30

Country presentations (continued)
12.30 – 13.30

Lunch
13.30 – 14.30

Introduction to Digital Sequence Information (DSI) and its implications on ABS negotiations 
Jasmina Muminovic, Global Germplasm Lead, Bayer/ Dr. Shivendra Bajaj
14.30 – 15.00

ABS mechanism at work (practical example of ABS by seed sector) 
Ms. Rosa Villanueva, Group Head - Legal, East-West Seed International Ltd.
15.00 – 15.30

The SMTA, what are the next steps
Szonja Csorgo, Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager, International Seed Federation (ISF)
15.30 – 16.00

Coffee break
16.00 – 16.30

Upcoming events (COP/MOP)- expectations of the seed sector
Jasmina Muminovic / Shivendra Bajaj
16.30 – 17:00

Participants' Q&A discussion

17.00 – 17.15

Plan for next year meeting and closing remarks
Mr. Khalil Hamid, Program Manager, USDA-FAS