- Global Policy Meets Science: Working Together for the Sustainable Future -

 

 The Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI), in collaboration with the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, is pleased to announce the 2nd International Symposium on Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs), which will be held from 8–10 July 2026 at the Sejong National Arboretum and the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Republic of Korea.

 

 Under the theme “Global Policy Meets Science: Working Together for the Sustainable Future,” the symposium will bring together leading international organizations, research institutes, and policymakers to discuss global strategies for conserving and utilizing CWR as essential genetic resources for climate resilience and future food security.

 

 The symposium will open with the following presentations:

• Mario Marino, Treaty Technical Officer, FAO International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA), presenting “The Role of ITPGRFA in Facilitating the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Crop Wild Relatives: Bridging Global Policy and Field-based Practices.”

• Nigel Maxted (IUCN SSC Crop Wild Relative Specialist Group / University of Birmingham), presenting “Developing a Practical Strategy and Action Plan for National CWR Conservation and Use.”

• Carly Cowell (Secretary General, Botanic Gardens Conservation International), presenting “The Global Vision of GCCFP: Empowering Botanic Gardens as Living Infrastructure for Food Security.”

• Noam Chayut (John Innes Centre), presenting “Wheat Wild Relative Resources: Conservation, Genomics, Pre-breeding and Utilisation.”

• Nguyen Huu Loi (Mekong Institute, Can Tho University), presenting “Participatory Evaluation and Utilization of CWR-derived Rice Materials in Vietnam: A Story of Bridging Conservation, Breeding, and Farmer Innovation.”

• Chae Sun Na (Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute), presenting “Korea's CWR Journey: From Conservation to Asia Cooperation – Achievements, Partnerships and Future Directions for Crop Wild Relatives in Korea.”

 

 The symposium will conclude with a high-level panel discussion entitled: “Korea's Strategy for the Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Crop Wild Relatives under the Global Policy Framework.”

 

 The discussion will bring together representatives from FAO, BGCI, IUCN, John Innes Centre, Can Tho University, the Royal Norwegian Embassy, and leading Korean institutions to explore future international collaboration and policy directions.

 

 As a special side event, the Asia CWR Working Group for seed management and conservation, jointly organized by AFoCO and KoAGI, will officially be launched on 8 July. Representatives from more than ten Asian countries will discuss regional cooperation, establish a collaborative framework for CWR conservation, and identify priorities for future joint research, seed conservation, and capacity building.

  

 On the final day, international delegates will visit the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum and the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault, providing an opportunity to exchange practical experiences in seed banking, ex situ conservation, and forest biodiversity management.

 

 The symposium will be held on 9 July 2026 from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM (KST) at the Sejong National Arboretum and will be live-streamed via YouTube. The livestream link and detailed programme will be made available through the official event website and QR code.

 

 

 We look forward to your interest and participation in the 2nd International Symposium on Forest Crop Wild Relatives.