In a collaborative effort, the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and OPEC Fund engaged in discussions during a side event held on the sidelines of the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP28), shedding light on the proposed creation of a seed gene bank in the Arab Region. This initiative, a component of the recently formalized Practical Arrangements, aims to provide farmers in the region access to a diverse array of seeds, with the primary goal of preserving biodiversity and fortifying food security against the backdrop of escalating climatic adversities.
Participants in the side event were apprised of the pivotal role played by plant mutation breeding in climate-smart agriculture. This method involves subjecting seeds or plant tissues to irradiation, inducing genetic diversity to cultivate new and improved crop varieties—an area of extensive research and development by the IAEA spanning six decades.
Beyond the storage and distribution of enhanced seed varieties, the proposed seed gene bank is envisioned to contribute to research and development endeavors focused on discovering crop varieties better suited to climate-change-induced environmental conditions prevalent in the Arab region. Factors such as heightened temperatures, salinity, drought, and soil erosion constitute the target challenges. Seeds exhibiting traits such as drought tolerance or resistance to pests have the potential to yield higher crop outputs, thereby augmenting food security.
Hua Liu, IAEA Deputy Director General and Head of the Department of Technical Cooperation, emphasized the exceptional nature of the proposal, stating, “The proposal to establish a seed gene bank in the Arab States of Asia is exceptional in that it addresses both climate adaptation and food security. It builds on a baseline of many success stories in the region achieved through IAEA—ARASIA technical cooperation over the past 20 years.”
The IAEA Cooperative Agreement for Arab States in Asia for Research, Development, and Training related to Nuclear Science and Technology (ARASIA) unites 10 IAEA Member States to collaboratively address key regional challenges using nuclear techniques.
Bilal Nsouli, ARASIA Chair and Director of the Lebanese Atomic Energy Commission, emphasized the seed bank’s core motivation, citing the limited presence of an advanced seed bank in the region and constrained cooperation in seed exchange between countries.
Within the framework of ARASIA, the proposed regional seed bank aims to enable countries to pool their agricultural successes. With many food crops, particularly grains, currently being imported to the Arab region, the seed bank represents a pivotal step toward achieving regional self-sufficiency in agriculture through South-South cooperation.
Adebayo Babalola, Director of the OPEC Fund Strategic Planning Unit, highlighted the significance of seeds in securing food, stating, “Seeds are the guardians of our food security.” He further asserted that the regional seed bank embodies shared responsibility for crops, ensuring no community is left vulnerable in the face of environmental uncertainties.
The side event, dedicated to COP28, saw the participation of the IAEA and OPEC Fund, alongside representatives from countries and industries, including the Emirates Food Security Council and the Crop Trust—a non-profit organization actively supporting the development of seed banks worldwide.
Stefan Schmitz, a representative from the Crop Trust, underscored the pivotal role of seed banks in agricultural development, describing them as a ‘one-stop shop’ for breeders and researchers. He emphasized their role in facilitating research aimed at making food systems more adaptable to climate change, more productive, and sustainable.
The IAEA’s enduring commitment to supporting Member States in the realm of food and agriculture was highlighted, including its longstanding partnership with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Nuclear techniques, encompassing plant mutation breeding, soil and water management, and food safety, provide a comparative advantage in enhancing various stages of the agricultural spectrum—from seed to table. Through plant breeding, scientists can develop new crop varieties with favorable traits, such as drought and heat tolerance, contributing to increased crop yields and reduced food insecurity.