October 15, 2025
On October 15, the first ”Global Technical Recognition Ceremony” ever was held at FAO's headquarters in Rome to recognize the best practices and innovative approaches across six technical categories. In a formal setting, NordGen received an award in the category “Sustainable plant production and protection.”
This year marks the 80th anniversary of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). In connection with this milestone and the World Food Forum, a series of events are being held this week in Rome. On Wednesday, October 15, a formal prize ceremony took place to highlight good examples within six of FAO’s technical areas (see the list below).
Following a nomination process that involved 1,340 applications, 239 recipients from around the world were selected for their “best practices and innovative approaches from around the world to advance global food security, sustainable development and agrifood systems transformation.” NordGen’s Director, Lene Krøl Andersen, was one of seven representatives in the category “Sustainable plant production and protection" invited to receive the recognition in person.
“I represent all my colleagues, both past and present, who have worked with dedication and determination to preserve and promote the sustainable use of genetic resources within the Nordic countries. We receive this important recognition with great pride,” says Lene Krøl Andersen in response on the recognition.
Lene Krøl Andersen receives the recognition from the FAO Director-General QU Dongyu (screenshot from the online event, photo:FAO).
History of Nordic collaboration
According to FAO, these recognitions showcase innovation in sustainable agrifood systems transformation as well as technical leadership and collaboration. NordGen as an institution has a long tradition of Nordic collaboration. The predecessor to NordGen's current plant section was formerly known as the Nordic Gene Bank and was established in 1979 as a joint Nordic institution under the Nordic Council of Ministers.
“Our history of Nordic cooperation in plant genetic resources goes back 45 years. Therefore, we want to express our sincere gratitude to the Nordic Council of Ministers and through them, the governments of the Nordic countries, for recognizing the value of safeguarding our genetic resources for future generations,” says Lene Krøl Andersen and continues.
”My colleagues and I are also proud to be part of the international community and wish to express our deep appreciation to the FAO, the International Plant Treaty, and all the organizations we’ve collaborated with over the years—not least our partners in the operation of Svalbard Global Seed Vault – Crop Trust, and the Ministry of Agriculture and Food in Norway.
FAO Director-General QU Dongyu during a speech at the ceremony. Photo: ©FAO/Giulio Napolitano
Fact box: FAO Global Technical Recognition Ceremony
During the ceremony, contributions were recognized in the following categories:
- Sustainable livestock transformation, One Health, animal health, and Reference Centres
- South-South and Triangular Cooperation
- Land, soil and water resource management for resilient agriculture and food security
- Sustainable aquatic food systems
- Sustainable forest production and protection
- Sustainable plant production and protection
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