Insights from Marrakesh and a Look Ahead to Kunming

CIopora_140424

After this year’s successful Annual General Meeting in Marrakesh, the next CIOPORA AGM in 2025 will occur in Kunming, China, between April 5 and 9, writes Andrés Velásquez, Director of PR & Communications at CIOPORA.

<emAndrés Velásquez, Director PR & Communications at CIOPORA.

CIOPORA’s Annual General Meeting, held in Marrakesh from April 15 to 19. Over the course of five days, attendees enjoyed high-level discussion sessions on innovation and plant breeders’ rights, as well as a unique environment to network, socialise, and strengthen their contacts with key stakeholders in the sector.

This edition focused on Africa, providing important insights into the continent’s current landscape and the main challenges breeders face when they want to obtain a PBR or commercialise their varieties. On Wednesday morning, in a session exclusive to CIOPORA members, UPOV, ONSSA, CPVO, US-PVPO, USPTO, and ARIPO, among others, shared the latest updates within their offices and countries with the attendees.

Of course, the week also focused on Morocco and the impact of the famous mandarin variety Nadorcott on the agricultural sector. The attendees heard firsthand the story of the creation of this mandarin variety, the long way to get the PBR, the challenges during the examination period, and the worldwide dispute about EDV. They concluded this topic with a visit to a mandarin farm where the first Nadorcott tree is still alive.

Secretary General of CIOPORA, Dr Edgar Krieger, said: “Once again, the CIOPORA AGM gathered the main stakeholders of our sector to discuss breeding innovation and plant breeders’ rights. CIOPORA is a unique space where breeders worldwide come together with IP experts and authorities to share their experiences and work together to improve protection for plant breeders.”

For Krieger, Marrakesh was at the 20th Annual General Meeting, and he was caught by surprise when CIOPORA President Wendy Cashmore awarded him the CIOPORA Silver Pin for 20 years of service to the association.

During the session, the date and location for the CIOPORA AGM 2025 were announced: In 2025, the plant breeder community will gather in Kunming, China, from April 5 to 9 to discuss up-to-date topics, with a special focus on China, its opportunities, and challenges for breeders.

Upcoming Events for the Plant Breeder Sector

For the rest of this year, CIOPORA has already launched its upcoming activities, including workshops and webinars. The closest activity is the CIOPORA Academy Webinar Series, focusing on Strategies for PBR and Trademark Enforcement. This first round of webinars will be held in June, and the second part of the program will happen in September.

Additionally, on October 7th, the CIOPORA Academy Workshop will return to Madrid with a full day of learning on plant breeder protection, focusing on fruits. The Academy’s activities will finish in November with the CIOPORA Breeding Academy. For more information on the CIOPORA Academy, please visit the website www.ciopora-academy.org.

This article was first featured in the July-August 2024 issue of FloraCulture International.