Svalbard Global Seed Vault: Norway praised for the seed vault

From left: Minister of the Environment and International Development Erik Solheim, UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon and Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk. Photo: Ministry of Agriculture and Food.

During last weeks visit to Svalbard, Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk was praised by UN Secretary General Ban Ki-Moon for Norway’s idea and ability to carry out the building of Svalbard Global Seed Vault.

Ban Ki-moon thanked Norway for offering the world this opportunity to take care of genetic diversity. He said Norway has been “forward looking” and “a visionary”, and emphasized that Norway deserves the respect of all.

New crop varieties are needed to maintain the level of food production under the climate changes predicted for the 21st century.

“We must consider it an obligation to find a common understanding in Copenhagen in December,” said Minister of Agriculture and Food Lars Peder Brekk.

The seed vault exemplifies how climate change will affect agriculture and how the world can use plant genetic resources to be prepared.

Source: Government.no