OREANDA-NEWS. On 14 August 2009 was announced, that professor Nigel MacStead, a scientist of world reputation in the sphere of plant genetic resources conservation, official Global Environmental Facility consultant, one of the authors of the United Kingdom National Strategy for Conservation of Plant Genetic Resources, visited Kazakhstan for assessment and technical consultations at the invitation of the RK Government/GEF/UNDP Project In-Situ Conservation of Kazakhstan's Mountain Agrobiodiversity.

The UNDP Project In-Situ Conservation of Kazakhstan's Mountain Agrobiodiversity is being implemented in the two project areas located in Dzungar and Trans-Ili Alatau, in the territory of Alakol, Sarkand, Enbekshikazakh, and Talgar Districts of Almaty Oblast. The Project is targeted at the conservation in the natural environment and sustainable use of the biological diversity of plant species which are of global value for agriculture. The basic conservation objectives are the mountain wild fruit forests consisting of wild varieties of apple trees, apricot trees, currants, sea-buckthorn, raspberries and other ancestors or kin of the species utilized by humankind.

As a whole, Mr. MacStead positively assessed efforts within the framework of the Project related to creating conditions for conservation of wild fruit forests in Kazakhstan and developing methodological bases for in-situ* and ex-situ ** conservation of the unique genetic resources of wild apple trees and apricot trees. He provided case-specific recommendations regarding the organization of genetic reservations of wild apple trees and apricot trees.

The strategy for conservation of the mountain agro-biodiversity in Kazakhstan developed by the Project and the plans relating to Kazakhstan's joining the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for the purposes of developing international collaboration in this sphere were approved. The objectives of the Treaty are the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources for food production and farming, just and equitable distribution of benefits obtained therefrom, and ensured food safety. These objectives will be met by way of establishing close links between the said Treaty and the United Nations Food and Agricultural Organization (FAO) as well as with the UN Convention on Biological Diversity.

Mr. MacStead assured that the Treaty Secretariat can facilitate Kazakhstan in identifying the necessary actions to establish the regulatory and legal basis within the framework of which the plant genetic resources will be managed”.

* in-situ – conservation of ecosystems and natural habitats as well as sustenance and restoration of viable populations of species in their natural habitats, and as applied to domesticated and cultivated species – in the environment where they acquired their distinguishing features.

** ex-situ – conservation of plant genetic resources for food production and farming outside their natural habitats.