Department of Agriculture assistant secretary for policy and planning Paz Benavidez II was elected as the chairwoman of the Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
Benavidez was elected during the commission’s 20th session in Rome. The commission, a permanent intergovernmental body of the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), focuses on policies for the sustainable use, conservation, and equitable sharing of biological diversity for food and agriculture.
Agriculture Secretary Francisco Tiu Laurel Jr. lauded Benavidez’s election. “This is a very proud moment for the DA family. Assistant Secretary Benavidez’s election as the first Filipino to head the Commission speaks volumes not only about her personal achievements but also the wealth of talent within the DA,” he said in a statement.
Benavidez, who led the Philippine delegation, will serve a two-year term, ending in 2027 at the commission’s 21st session.
As chairwoman, she will lead discussions and decision-making processes, ensuring the smooth functioning of the FAO’s advisory body on genetic resources. Her role will be key in advancing global efforts to preserve and sustainably manage genetic resources for food and agriculture.