Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations  
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

About the Global Information System for Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

The Global Information System on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (GLIS) is an innovative platform that connects farmers, scientists, and policymakers to improve food security and plant genetic resources conservation. It serves as a comprehensive hub for accessing crucial information related to Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) conservation, management, and utilization.

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©FAO

Key features

  1. Single access point for decentralized data: GLIS is a comprehensive digital platform for accessing information on PGRFA. It streamlines the process of searching and sharing data across multiple national and international databases, including gene banks, research institutions and other collections. Click here to search the Ex situ, In situ database, and also WIEWS institutions.
  2. Standardized identification and documentation: GLIS implements a standardized documentation procedure assigning Digital Object Identifiers (DOIs) as unique and permanent identifiers of PGRFA, painless and for free. This global approach ensures consistent documentation and improves linkages between PGRFA-related records worldwide. Click here to search the DOI registrants or access the DOI module. You can also find additional documentation on the use of GLIS, crop descriptors, and taxonomy.
  3. Improved innovation and research: By providing quick access to information on seed characteristics, genetic sequences, and crop performance, GLIS helps accelerate the evaluation of material and the plant breeding processes. This comprehensive approach supports the development of "climate-smart" crops, optimizing the breeding process and reducing the time and cost of bringing improved varieties to market. Click here to search for information resources related to plant breeding, genomics and phenomics.
  4. Visualization and analysis tools: GLIS provides advanced data visualization and mapping capabilities, offering a customized search engine for the PGRFA community. These tools allow users to access and analyze statistics on PGRFA, supporting evidence-based decision-making in agricultural research and policy. Click here to search statistics on DOI.
  5. Community bridging and knowledge transfer: GLIS facilitates collaboration between farmers, scientists, and policymakers by enabling efficient knowledge sharing across the agricultural sector. It supports global food security initiatives by promoting the exchange of vital genetic material and associated information for key food crops. Click here to search for technical or policy resources on the sustainable use of PGRFA (read the user guide to help you navigate through these sections). You can also access the Inventory of farmers’ rights measures and good practices.

Implementing Article 17 of the International Treaty

Article 17 of the International Treaty states that "Contracting Parties shall cooperate to develop and strengthen a global information system to facilitate the exchange of information, based on existing information systems, on scientific, technical and environmental matters related to plant genetic resources for food and agriculture."

At its Sixth Session in 2015, the Governing Body adopted the Vision and the first Programme of Work on the Global Information System (GLIS) as contained in Resolution 3/2015. The Governing Body also translated the Vision into objectives and a programme of work with concrete activities and reviewed them for the period 2023-2028 through Resolution 5/2022.

Partnerships

Since 2017, GLIS has developed strong partnerships with the World Information and Early Warning System (WIEWS), Genesys, GRIN-Global, and the European Search Catalogue for Plant Genetic Resources (EURISCO).

The Secretariat is working on the strengthening of linkages with the South African Development Community Plant Genetic Resources Centre (SPGRC) Documentation and Information System (Web-SDIS), as well as the Convention on Biological Diversity’s Access and Benefit-sharing Clearing-House, the Global Open Data for Agriculture and Nutrition (GODAN), the CGIAR Big Data Platform, and the Global Biodiversity Information Facility (GBIF).

The Governing Body welcomed the Digital Object Identifiers for PGRFA in 2017. The Governing Body further requested the Secretary to continue promoting initiatives to support national and regional programmes in the development and transfer of information technologies for, and data analysis of, plant genetic resources for food and agriculture, such as the Capfitogen Programme and the Platform for the Co-development and Transfer of Technologies. More information.