The 14th Meeting of the Ad Hoc Open ended Working Group to Enhance the Functioning of the International Plant Treaty (ITPGRFA) Multilateral System (MLS) was held in Lima, Peru on 7-11 July 2025. ISF, as the voice of the global seed industry, was represented by Jasmina Muminovic, Chair of the ISF Coordination Group – Genetic Resources, Ludovic Pâris, Tom Nickson, and Lorelei Garagancea, ISF Intellectual Property and Legal Affairs Manager.
Photo: IISD/ENB – Ángeles Estrada
The process of enhancing the Treaty’s Multilateral System (MLS) of access and benefit-sharing (ABS) began in 2013 with a focus on increasing user-based payments to the Treaty’s Benefit-sharing Fund (BSF). Since then, a significant amount of work by all state parties, including observers like ISF, has been conducted around the package of measures aimed at enhancing the MLS, including a draft resolution, a draft revised Standard Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA), and a draft text for an amendment of Annex I (list of crops in the MLS).
Key topics in Lima
In Lima, discussions focused on key elements of the revised SMTA, including payment structure and rates, benefit-sharing from the use of DSI/GSD, and proposals for a partial subscription model, reflecting fruitful discussions of all parties involved on what is necessary for an enhanced use of the multilateral system.
The seed sector supports a multilateral system that is functional, accessible, and fosters innovation. Legal clarity, proportional benefit-sharing, and a balanced financial structure are essential to keeping the system viable for all users, enhancing the use of the multilateral system and thereby increasing the corresponding contributions to the benefit-sharing fund.
To learn more about the context and stakes of these negotiations, listen to our State of Seed podcast episode dedicated to the ITPGRFA. Available on your preferred platform:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/45ZFAQr
Spotify: https://bit.ly/3TyT7a7
For more information about this event, please contact Lorelei Garagancea.
Photos by IISD/ENB – Angeles Estrada Vigil