Int'l Centre for Genetic Eng. and Biotechnology 34d ago

Éliane Ubalijoro, Chief Executive Officer of the Center for International Forestry Research and World Agroforestry (CIFOR-ICRAF) and Director General of World Agroforestry (ICRAF), speaks on "Conserving and Using Agroforestry Tree Genetic Resources for Climate-Resilient African Landscapes". Brief Abstract Agroforestry trees are central to resilient food systems, landscape restoration, biodiversity conservation, and climate adaptation across Africa. CIFOR-ICRAF’s Tree Genebank plays a global role in conserving agroforestry tree genetic resources through a combination of seed and field genebanks, backed by rigorous documentation, characterization, and germplasm distribution. The Genebank currently conserves a broad diversity of agroforestry species and accessions across multiple countries and continents, reflecting its mandate to safeguard genetic resources for present and future use. This presentation will outline how the Tree Genebank supports research and development through both physical conservation and digital information systems. The Genebank’s publicly accessible data platforms, including Genesys, the Global Information System (GLIS), and the Agroforestry Species Switchboard, improve discoverability, interoperability, and the effective use of germplasm information in tree research and deployment. A key theme will be the distinction between seed banks and field banks, and why both are essential for conserving diverse tree species with different biological and storage characteristics. The presentation will also highlight CIFOR-ICRAF’s field-based work on “the right tree in the right place,” demonstrating how species selection, site matching, and quality planting material underpin successful agroforestry and restoration outcomes. Examples from regional programs and partnerships will illustrate how science, practice, and capacity development come together to support food security, livelihoods, and ecosystem resilience. Finally, the talk will showcase the role of African scientists, including women fellows supported through AWARD, and reflect on how collaboration between CIFOR-ICRAF and institutions such as ICGEB can accelerate research and innovation for Africa’s tree-based solutions.