Egg handling and incubation for PGCs Isolation Christian K. Tiambo, Scientist Co-Lead- Cellular Resources, Functional Genomics and Biotechnology Programme, Officer ABS- Nagoya Protocol, Focal Point CDB - International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) c.tiambo@cgiar.org Headline   Introduction Status of LIAnGRFA in the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) framework Policy solutions and action plan for LIAnGRFA Conclusion https://cgspace.cgiar.org/items/ef84f693-d8e7-409f-9403-245d1fb00a8b Introduction Background on LIAnGRFA and their role in biodiversity Both conventional and non-conventional livestock species Developed naturally over centuries, shaped by local environmental conditions and human selection. Well adapted to specific local environments. Thrive well in low-input systems, making them crucial for sustainable livestock production. 01 02 03 04 05 06 Food and nutrition security Medicine Income generation Livelihood values Living Insurance Biodiversity conservation Genetic adaptation & resilience, Ecosystem services Farm-Based Recreation Sports and Leisure Aesthetic and Educational Value Sociocultural heritage and identity Spiritual values. Ecosystem restoration Soil health and traction Agro-Ecotourism LIAnGRFA. Green recovery Economic Growth Social Benefits Environmental sustainability Biodiversity conservation Food Security and sovereignty. Goal Improving livelihood and reducing poverty Multisectoral collaboration LIAnGRFA Biodiversity conservation. Ecosystem restoration Sustsainable use Community Engagement Policy Support and Investment Sustainable use practices Sustainable livestock management Conservation Sharing of the benefits The critical role of global exchange in livestock breeding Source: https://www.isdgs-aoba.org/blackbelly-sheep-breeds-in-the-world. The historical phases of livestock breeding evolution : 19th Century: Urbanization and intensive agriculture, breed stabilization through breed. Mid-to-late 20th Century: Genetic improvement programs, specialization & breeding cooperatives, increased Productivity, breed displacement. Present day: The introduction of exotic genetics and crossbreeding, often wrongly viewed as a solution for low productivity. The acceleration of genetic exchanges will shape the future of livestock breeding. Ensuring access to a broad genetic base, supported by appropriate regulatory frameworks, will be fundamental in enabling us to develop livestock systems tailored to specific needs. The threat to LIAnGRFA The threat to LIAnGRFA Despite their significance, LIAnGRFA face severe threats due to environmental, economic, and policy-related pressures. Habitat destruction: Industrial agriculture, urbanization, and conservancies are reducing traditional grazing land. Crossbreeding and genetic dilution: breeds introduction and crossbreeding as a panacea threaten the genetic integrity of LIAnGRFA, leading to a loss of adaptive traits. Climate change: Raising temperatures, extreme droughts, and increased disease outbreaks place greater stress on livestock populations. Policy and market marginalization: Many national and international policies prioritize commercial livestock over indigenous breeds, leading to underfunding of conservation efforts. II. Status of LIAnGRFA in the Convention on CBD framework How LIAnGRFA are currently addressed in the CBD In the CBD, LIAnGRFA have historically been underrepresented, often overlooked, and remain marginalized in global biodiversity governance. The KMGBF - target 4 explicitly recognizes the importance of genetic diversity for food security and ecosystem resilience, offering a new entry point for LIAnGRFA within biodiversity strategies. NBSAPs and country implementation serve as the primary mechanism for translating the CBD framework into country-level action, but most fail to sufficiently incorporate LIAnGRFA. ABS-NP application to LIAnGRFA remains limited. Livestock lacks multilateral system similar to ITPGRFA, resulting in fragmented access and governance structures. Financial Mechanisms - The Global Environment Facility (GEF) and the Green Climate Fund (GCF) allocate a very minuscule fraction of biodiversity funding to LIAnGRFA conservation. Key limitations in LIAnGRFA conservation Several technical and research challenges hinder the effective integration of LIAnGRFA into the GBF. Addressing these limitations is essential for evidence-based policymaking, equitable benefit-sharing, and long-term conservation. Limited recognition and policy fragmentation: Lack of coordinated governance – no animal treaty Weak operational synergies among the three Rio Conventions. Lack of comprehensive data on LIAnGRFA, that exacerbates the risk of genetic erosion and biodiversity loss. Insufficient global funding. Weak ABS implementation perpetuates inequalities in genetic resource utilization and limits community-driven conservation initiatives. Other international agreements relevant to LIAnGRFA While both crop and livestock biodiversity fall under the CBD’s broad objectives, key differences exist in how they are managed within global policy frameworks Policy aspects PGRFA LIAnGRFA Dedicated Global Treaty The Plant Treaty provides a comprehensive framework for conservation, access, and benefit sharing of plant genetic resources. No equivalent treaty exists for AnGR. A dedicated treaty is needed to establish global livestock governance. Access and Benefit-Sharing The ABS - Nagoya Protocol and ITPGRFA’s multilateral system provide clear guidelines on the exchange and benefit-sharing of crop genetic resources. LIAnGRFA are not fully covered under ABS - Nagoya Protocol frameworks. A livestock-specific ABS mechanism is needed. Conservation Strategies Strong in-situ and ex situ conservation programs, including seed banks and protected areas for wild relatives. Limited in-situ and ex-situ conservation support for LIAnGRFA. Need national and regional livestock gene banks and breed conservation funding. Financial Resources Funding mechanisms through GEF, GCF, and the GBF for conservation. Significantly less financial support. A dedicated conservation fund is needed within major biodiversity finance mechanisms. Global Action Plan Guides global efforts for conservation and sustainable use. Exist, but lacks strong integration into CBD policies. Research and Data Coordination Global information systems exist: FAO’s WIEWS, ITPGRFA data systems. No centralized information system exists. Need a global database for tracking breed diversity and conservation status. Other international agreements relevant to LIAnGRFA While direct replication of the ITPGRFA model may not be feasible for livestock due to biological and management differences, it provides valuable insights for designing a similar governance structure for LIAnGRFA. Key differences between plant and animal genetic resources include: Dynamic breeding: livestock require continuous breeding and adaptation, making conservation efforts more complex. Mobility and adaptation: Indigenous livestock breeds co-evolve with local environments and require transboundary conservation approaches. Limited ex-situ conservation options: While crops can be stored in seed banks, livestock conservation depends on breeding programs and living gene banks. Diverse custodian groups: LIAnGRFA are often maintained by pastoralist communities, smallholder farmers, and indigenous groups requiring livelihood-sensitive conservation approaches. Recognition of LIAnGRFA at COP16 and key outcomes The CDB COP16 marked a significant milestone in the global biodiversity governance by formally recognizing the crucial role of Animal Genetic Resources. Key outcomes included: Integration of ANGR in the DSI discussions, emphasizing the need for equitable benefit-sharing mechanisms. Establishment of the Cali fund, a dedicated funding mechanism for the conservation of LIAnGRFA. Direct financial support for traditional and climate-resilient species and breeds. Recognition of Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLC) and community-led conservation programs. These developments signify a progressive shift toward inclusive biodiversity policies that recognize and support the vital contributions of LIAnGRFA to global food security and ecosystem resilience. III. Policy solutions and action plan for LIAnGRFA Macro-level policy recommendations Macro-level recommendations focus on high-impact policy reforms, international agreements, institutional coordination, and financial commitments necessary to integrate LIAnGRFA into global biodiversity, agriculture, and climate policies. Short-term actions (0-3 Years) Medium-term actions (3-7 years) Long-term actions (7+ Years) Explicit recognition in CBD, UNFCCC, and UNCCD negotiations Develop an international agreement for LIAnGRFA Operationalize a global treaty for LIAnGRFA conservation Integration into Global Biodiversity Frameworks Enhance Access and Benefit-Sharing (ABS) for LIAnGRFA Ensure sustainable financing Initiate dedicated funding for LIAnGRFA Conservation Recognize and protect local and indigenous livestock famers’ rights • Ensure ABS compliance Build local capacity and knowledge Establish a global LIAnGRFA information system Promote policy integration and institutional coordination between CBD, FAO, UNFCCC, and other relevant institutions Micro-level policy recommendations Policy recommendations Target interventions Revisions to the CBD Article 8 (in-situ conservation): Recognize pastoralist systems as biodiversity landscapes. Article 9 (ex-situ conservation): Establish national and regional LIAnGRFA gene banks Article 10 (sustainable use): Support traditional livestock management systems. Article 15 (access to genetic resources and benefit-sharing mechanisms): Develop a livestock-specific ABS framework. Article 16 (access to and the transfer of technology): Enable LIAnGRFA-specific breeding innovations. Article 20 (financial mechanisms): Allocate dedicated LIAnGRFA conservation funding. Revisions to the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Target 4 (genetic diversity): Explicit inclusion of LIAnGRFA. Target 10 (sustainable agriculture): Recognize pastoralism and extensive livestock systems. Target 13 (fair and equitable benefit-sharing): Strengthen ABS for LIAnGRFA. Target 18 (traditional knowledge): Protect indigenous livestock farmers’ rights. Develop a sui generis protection system for LIAnGRFA Target 19 (funding for biodiversity): Increase LIAnGRFA financial allocations. Allocate at least 10% of biodiversity funding from GEF, GCF, and other international mechanisms to LIAnGRFA conservation and climate adaptation projects Strengthening policy integration and compliance mechanisms Enhance coordination between key institutions (CBD, FAO, and UNFCCC) will ensure livestock biodiversity conservation is integrated into global climate adaptation strategies and LIAnGRFA policies align with broader food security and sustainable agriculture goals. Strengthen compliance with national and international ABS regulations through monitoring and evaluation frameworks; advisory and technical assistance for developing countries; and legal support for IPLCs and pastoralist communities to safeguard genetic resources. IV. Conclusion The urgency of action Failure to act now and explicitly recognize and protect LIAnGRFA in global biodiversity policies will lead to irreversible genetic loss, diminished climate resilience, and missed opportunities for sustainable development, undermining the resilience of future food systems and exacerbating vulnerabilities for millions of smallholder farmers and pastoralists worldwide. A failure to integrate LIAnGRFA into biodiversity governance is not just a technical oversight but an issue of equity and justice. The urgency of action What is at stake? The livelihoods of millions of smallholder farmers and pastoralists who depend on indigenous livestock. Critical genetic diversity that holds solutions for climate change adaptation and disease resistance in future global food systems. Ecosystem balance in rangelands and grazing landscapes that rely on indigenous livestock for soil fertility, crop production, and biodiversity conservation. Next steps As UNCBD COP17 and future negotiations shape the trajectory of global biodiversity conservation, policymakers must commit to fully integrating LIAnGRFA into global frameworks, financial mechanisms, and national biodiversity strategies. The inclusion of LIAnGRFA in international conservation efforts is critical to safeguard these invaluable genetic resources so they can continue to contribute to agricultural biodiversity, food security, and climate resilience in the face of global challenges. Next steps International policy platforms (CBD, GBF, FAO, UNFCCC, and UNCCD) National governments Funders and financial institutions (GEF, GCF, development banks, and philanthropic investors) Research institutions and conservation networks Adopt formal amendments to the CBD and the GBF Explicitly recognize LIAnGRFA. Integrate LIAnGRFA into NBSAPs, Ensure that conservation efforts and funding are allocated at the country level. Establish a dedicated funding for LIAnGRFA conservation, ensure long-term financial pledges for indigenous breed conservation, management, and research. Establish a global LIAnGRFA information system, modeled after the ITPGRFA, to track breed status, genetic diversity, and conservation efforts. Establish a dedicated livestock-specific ABS framework to protect traditional livestock Endorse livestock keepers’ rights and ensure equitable benefit-sharing. Establish and fund Regional livestock genetic repositories and gene banks to safeguard indigenous livestock genetic diversity. Develop blended finance models with public and private investments, and community-based financial mechanisms for sustainable financing for LIAnGRFA Integrate traditional knowledge into breeding and conservation, ensuring that local farmers are central to decision-making, policy formulation, and implementation. Increase biodiversity funding for LIAnGRFA conservation — at least 10% of GEF and GCF financing for indigenous livestock conservation and breeding programs. Recognize and protect the rights of indigenous livestock breeders, ensuring they benefit from genetic resource commercialization and conservation initiatives Expand eligibility criteria in the existing biodiversity and climate funding programs to include LIAnGRFA conservation initiatives and indigenous livestock breeding programs. Develop fair benefit-sharing mechanisms, including direct financial support through models such as the Cali Fund, to incentivize and sustain community-led conservation initiatives. Strengthen collaboration between CBD, FAO, UNFCCC, CTLGH/ILRI, and AU-IBAR to ensure LIAnGRFA policies are embedded within climate adaptation and biodiversity action plans. Support community-led conservation initiatives, ensuring direct access to financial resources for indigenous communities involved in LIAnGRFA conservation. Monitor and evaluate the impact of biodiversity investments, ensuring funding for LIAnGRFA contributes to measurable conservation outcomes and benefits local communities. CTLGH Funders image3.png image1.png image2.png image4.png image5.png image6.png image7.png image8.png image9.png image10.png image11.png image12.png image13.png image14.svg image15.png image16.png image17.png image18.png image19.png image20.png image21.jpeg image22.png image23.jpg image24.jpeg image25.png image26.png