Department of Agriculture (DA) Assistant Secretary for Policy and Planning Paz Benavidez II has made history as the first Filipino to be elected chairperson of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA).
The CGRFA, the only permanent intergovernmental body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) dedicated to biological diversity for food and agriculture, focuses on policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of essential resources.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. highlighted that Benavidez’s election, during the commission’s 20th session in Rome from March 24 to 28, reflects the Philippines’ growing leadership in global agricultural and biodiversity conservation efforts. “This is a very proud moment for the DA family. Assistant Secretary Benavidez’s election as the first Filipino to head the Commission speaks volumes not only about her personal achievements but also the wealth of talent within the DA,” he said.
Benavidez will serve a two-year term, which will conclude at the 21st CGRFA session in 2027. The commission, created in 1983 to address plant genetic resources, now includes 179 member states and the European Union, emphasizing its crucial role in shaping global agricultural practices.
