Brussels Roundtable
The Brussels roundtable will bring together perspectives from policy, science, conservation and industry, inviting participants to examine where shared interests can advance action and answer key questions.
Safeguarding Crop Diversity: A Strategic Investment in Europe’s Food Security, Climate Resilience and Global Partnerships
Brussels | Monday, 7 December 2026 | 14:00
When representatives of the three partners behind the Svalbard Global Seed Vault received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation, the recognition reverberated far from the remarkable facility in the Arctic. It demonstrated what countries and institutions can achieve when they work together to safeguard the foundations of global food security.
Now, that spirit of cooperation is coming to Brussels.
On 7 December 2026, the Crop Trust will bring together voices from across European institutions, Member States, the scientific community, international organizations and the private sector for a high-level roundtable to explore how the European Union can build on this momentum. With negotiations underway on the EU's next Multiannual Financial Framework (MFF) for 2028–2034, the gathering offers a timely opportunity to advance discussions on stronger partnerships, policy support and sustained investment in crop diversity conservation and use.
At the heart of the discussion is a simple proposition – genebanks are strategic infrastructure for the future of food.
