News published: 8 July 2026

The Korea Arboreta and Gardens Institute (KoAGI), in collaboration with the Korea Forest Service and the Korea Forestry Promotion Institute, is pleased to announce the 2nd International Symposium on Crop Wild Relatives (CWRs).

• Date: 8–10 July 2026 (Main Symposium: 9 July, 10:00 AM – 6:00 PM KST)
• Venue: Sejong National Arboretum and the Baekdudaegan National Arboretum, Republic of Korea
• Theme: “Global Policy Meets Science: Working Together for a Sustainable Future.”

The symposium will bring together leading international organizations, research institutes, and policymakers to discuss global strategies for conserving and utilizing CWRs as essential genetic resources for climate resilience and future food security.

Opening presentations:

• Mario Marino (Treaty Technical Officer at the FAO ITPGRFA) / Topic: “The Role of ITPGRFA in Facilitating the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Crop Wild Relatives: Bridging Global Policy and Field-based Practices.”
• A representative of the Royal Norwegian Embassy (TBC) / Topic: European perspectives on CWR policy and international cooperation.

Featured presentations:

• Nigel Maxted (IUCN SSC Crop Wild Relative Specialist Group / University of Birmingham) / Topic: “Developing a Practical Strategy and Action Plan for National CWR Conservation and Use”
• Carly Cowell (Secretary General, BGCI) / Topic: “The Global Vision of GCCFP: Empowering Botanic Gardens as Living Infrastructure for Food Security”
• Noam Chayut (John Innes Centre) / Topic: “Wheat Wild Relative Resources: Conservation, Genomics, Pre-breeding and Utilisation”
• Nguyen Huu Loi (Mekong Institute, Can Tho University) / Topic: “Participatory Evaluation and Utilization of CWR-Derived Rice Materials in Vietnam: A Story of Bridging Conservation, Breeding, and Farmer Innovation”
• Chae Sun Na (KoAGI) / Topic: “Korea’s CWR Journey: From Conservation to Asia Cooperation – Achievements, Partnerships and Future Directions for Crop Wild Relatives in Korea”

Closing & program highlights:
The symposium will conclude with a high-level panel discussion entitled “Korea’s Strategy for the Sustainable Conservation and Utilization of Crop Wild Relatives under the Global Policy Framework.” The discussion will bring together representatives from around the world and leading Korean institutions to explore future international collaboration and policy directions.

• Highlights: Includes the launch of the Asia CWR Working Group (8 July) and a technical visit to the Baekdudaegan Global Seed Vault (10 July).
• Livestream: The main symposium (9 July) will be live-streamed via YouTube.

We look forward to your interest and participation in the 2nd International Symposium on Crop Wild Relatives.