Sweden/
June 19, 2024
Genetic resources are at risk in times of war and crises, but they are also a tool for resilience and readiness. This was discussed in Karlstad, Sweden, as the Nordic ministers for Fisheries, Aquaculture, Agriculture, Food and Forestry (MR-FJLS) met for their annual summer meeting. All countries agreed that NordGen’s work is more important than ever, and that the institution is a Nordic flagship.
Self-sufficiency is on top of the agenda in many of the Nordic countries after the pandemic and the war in Ukraine. As experiences in Ukraine and Syria has shown, genetic resources are at risk during war and crises. But we must not forget that they are also a tool for resilience and readiness. Biodiversity helps us cope with climate change and genetic resources carry traits needed for development of new crops. This is clear to Sweden, currently holding the presidency of the Nordic Council of Ministers and hosting the ministers meeting.
“Sweden is happy and proud to host NordGen’s head office in Alnarp. The institution’s work is incredibly important considering climate change and other challenges – and have many relevant paths that can be explored”, said Peter Kullgren, the Swedish Minister for Rural Affairs who also invited his Nordic colleagues to join him for a visit to NordGen later this year.
Time to invest
As part of the meeting agenda, NordGen’s Executive Director, Lise Lykke Steffensen, gave a presentation on the role of genetic resources and NordGen in times of crises.
“Genetic resources are essential for human life on earth. Now is the time to invest in them. Now is the time to accelerate research and innovations. Now is the time to put the expertise and the critical biological infrastructure that NordGen holds, into play” she said.
The presentation was well received, with all countries agreeing on the importance of NordGen’s work and the urgency of its operations. Finland stated that NordGen’s future needs to be secured and that a screening of the seed collection would be beneficial.
“Plant breeding is central for climate change adaptation. Protein crops could reduce our import dependency. We see the potential in the Nordic seed collection and the information that already has been gathered in the PPP-project for pre-breeding”, said Sari Essayah, Finnish Minister of Agriculture and Forestry and was backed by Norway.
At the ministers meeting a declaration on resilience and readiness was signed.
“NordGen is perhaps the most concrete example of Nordic collaboration. Unfortunately, NordGen’s work is becoming increasingly important. Climate change, war and crises underlines the importance of securing genetic resources for the future. They are needed to develop new medicines and crops that can be cultivated in a future climate as well”, said the Norwegian State Secretary Wenche Westberg.
Nordic flagship
Greenland raised the fact that without NordGen, its missions and responsibility would need to be handled nationally.
“NordGen is a very special institution, a Nordic flagship, with the possibility to contribute to a high international reputation of the Nordics within this field. Greenland supports NordGen’s development and appreciate their important work”, said Birgitte Jacobson, Chief Advisor at Greenlandic Ministry of Fisheries and Hunting.
The ministers meeting was preceded by a workshop on genetic resources and their importance for resilience and readiness. The conclusions from the workshop showed that conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources are complex issues. For example, the need for research is urgent but research investments are dependent on foreseeable results.
“We are very grateful for the positive feedback on our work from both politicians and state officials in Karlstad. Now, our work continues. We continue to safeguard genetic resources in the Nordic region and promote their sustainable use. We continue to explore how genetic resources can help us with resilience and readiness. And we continue to take care of the valuable Nordic seed collection” said Lise Lykke Steffensen.
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