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Notes from the Advisory Group meeting

Date: Monday, 23 June 2025
Time: 13:00 GMT

Attendance​

  • Vania Azevedo, Interim director, Genebank Accelerator, CGIAR
  • Sarada Krishnan, Director of Programs, Crop Trust
  • Maarten van Zonneveld, Head of Genetic Resources, World Vegetable Center

Apologies​

  • César Tapia, Head of INIAP-DENAREF, Ecuador

Technical Teams​

  • Ana Oliveira, Coordinator, Genebank Information Management, CGIAR
  • Matija Obreza, Head, Genebank Information Systems, Crop Trust
  • Christelle Rabil, Genesys Assistant, Crop Trust

Meeting notes​

1. Welcome & Introductions​

The meeting commenced with a warm welcome and adoption of the pre-circulated agenda. As participants were already acquainted, formal introductions were omitted.

2. Purpose and Objectives of the Advisory Group​

The group reviewed the Terms of Reference (ToR) and reaffirmed its role in guiding the strategic direction of GGCE. Members were invited to suggest editorial improvements. A previous discussion about including representatives from international treaty bodies was acknowledged, with consensus to revisit the idea later.

3. Roles and Expectations​

Responsibilities of the Advisory Group were outlined, including strategic planning, development prioritization, and communication facilitation. Members may serve renewable three-year terms. Updates to outdated references in the ToR were recommended, and the group agreed to meet at least twice in the first year. Election of a chairperson was deferred to the next meeting.

4. Overview of GGCE Development and Deployments​

Adoption Status​

By the end of 2024, GGCE had been fully adopted by several international and national genebanks, including those in Kenya, Nigeria, Guatemala, and Fiji. Additional genebanks in Morocco and Ecuador were nearing active use. In 2025, new onboarding included genebanks from Tanzania, Vietnam, Bhutan, Angola, Zimbabwe, and Pakistan.

Technical Support and Capacity​

The Crop Trust team highlighted the growing demand for support, with 37 genebanks currently receiving assistance. The group discussed strategies to scale capacity, including regional expertise and peer support. Suggestions were made to integrate GGCE into collaborative projects with national genebanks.

Visibility and Governance​

Members supported publishing the Advisory Group’s composition, mandate, and meeting notes on the GGCE website to enhance transparency and trust. Recommendations included clarifying funding sources and improving access to support channels. It was also suggested to inform international focal points to raise visibility at the national level.

Starting with GGCE or with Genesys​

The group emphasized GGCE as the preferred operational database, with automated data sharing to Genesys. Manual uploads to Genesys were discouraged due to risks of data inconsistency. Suggestions were made to improve GGCE’s support for characterization data uploads.

Updates from CGIAR genebanks​

GGCE adoption across CGIAR centers varied, with some centers fully operational, others using dual systems, and a few in testing phases. It was noted that adoption is a gradual process influenced by resources and complexity. The group agreed to focus on functional needs rather than project labels.

5. Next Meeting​

The next Advisory Group meeting is scheduled for 20 October 2025, allowing time to assess progress and revise the ToR. Meeting frequency and chairperson election will be revisited.

6. Any Other Business​

No new items were raised.

Action Points​

  • Members will submit editorial suggestions for the Terms of Reference.
  • The Crop Trust team will expand the GGCE website to include:
    • Tutorials and guidance documents
    • Governance section with member list and meeting notes
    • Funding information and contact details