25 February 2008, Svalbard/Norway – The creation of the Global Seed Vault, which will house duplicates of unique varieties of the world’s most important crops, is “one of the most innovative and impressive acts in the service of humanity,” FAO Director-General Jacques Diouf said today.

“The wealth that is being safeguarded in Svalbard will be the global insurance to address future challenges,” he added.

Dr Diouf addressed a conference in Svalbard held in connection with the inauguration of the Seed Vault.