Opening & Welcoming Remarks

• Catherine Bertini, Chair of the Executive Board, Crop Trust
• Simon Heck, Director General, CIP
• Kent Nnadozie. Secreary, International Plant Treaty 

Session 1

Closing the gaps in the global genebank system

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
• Sandra Cristina Kothe Milach, Chief Scientist, CGIAR
• Noelle Anglin, Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, FAO
• Heike Baumüller, Srategic Advisor, 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
• Stefan Schmitz, Execuive Director, Crop Trust

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
• Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs, Crop Trust

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
• Alvaro Toledo, Deputy Secretary, International Plant Treaty
• 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