The securing of food, a sustainable supply of energy and raw materials, the preservation of biodiversity and the mitigation of climate change are supported by the BMEL within the framework of international measures.
In cooperation with the FAO (Food and Agruculture Organization) and other international organisations, multilateral projects to strengthen international cooperation in the areas of agriculture, food, fisheries and forestry, including the conservation of genetic resources, are being implemented in the agricultural and food sector.

International cooperation in the field of genetic resources is focused on:

1. Global information systems and capacity building for genetic resources
2. Support for the preparation of the FAO "State of the world" reports
3. Improving the conservation infrastructure and the use of genetic resources
4. Access and equitable sharing of benefits in genetic resources

BMEL currently supports FAO projects for the conservation of plant, animal and aquatic genetic resources. Further projects on plant genetic diversity are carried out with the European Cooperation Programme for Plant Genetic Resources (ECPGR) and the Global Crop Diversity Trust (Crop Trust).

The activities complement and deepen the existing commitment in the areas of conservation and use of genetic resources, improvement of the documentation of genetic resources and recording and documentation of the state of genetic resources and correspond to the priorities mentioned above.