The possibility of integrating the Republic of Moldova into the multilateral system of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture

Due to interdependence among nations regarding access to genetic materials, international cooperation through legal frameworks such as the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA) is essential. The Treaty establishes the Multilateral System (MLS) to facilitate access to PGRFA and ensure fair and equitable benefitsharing among stakeholders. This paper explores the global significance of the ITPGRFA and evaluates the Republic of Moldova's progress in implementing the Treaty and establishing the MLS. It outlines key challenges Moldova faces, including limited financial resources, lack of integrated agrobiodiversity policies, and the absence of a approved National Programme for PGRFA. Despite acceding to the Treaty in 2015 and participating in international sessions, Moldova has yet to fully integrate its national genetic resource collections into the MLS, but intend to do this. The study emphasizes the need for strengthened national legislation, stakeholder capacity building, and the inclusion of national data in MLS. It concludes that the ITPGRFA represents a vital tool for international collaboration and that Moldova must enhance its institutional and legislative frameworks to fully benefit from this global initiative.