Longyearbyen · 78.22 N 15.63 E

Svalbard Wire

Est. 2026

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Monday 9 November 2026No. 15The story behind the headline

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Seed Vault

Svalbard Global Seed Vault wins Princess of Asturias Award

The vault in the mountain on Svalbard was honoured for international cooperation. Its three partners will give the prize money to genebanks whose collections are still at risk.

The vault outside Longyearbyen keeps 1.4 million seed samples from 135 genebanks in 84 countries and the international centres.

Each square is one genebank. Its area is the number of seed samples it keeps in the vault; the smallest are drawn at the smallest size that can be seen.

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, international centre, 190,453 samplesInternational Rice Research Institute, international centre, 135,597 samplesInternational Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, international centre, 128,206 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 71,229 samplesThe World Vegetable Center, international centre, 62,238 samplesInternational Center for Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 58,631 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 57,804 samplesInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 24,448 samplesAfrica Rice Center, international centre, 22,381 samplesSADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre, international centre, 17,258 samplesCentro Internacional de la Papa, international centre, 10,958 samplesInternational Livestock Research Institute, international centre, 10,867 samplesCentro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, international centre, 2,414 samplesWorld Agroforestry Centre, international centre, 2,375 samplesInternational Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, international centre, 290 samplesLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany (DEU146), 72,507 samplesNordic Genetic Resource Center, Sweden (SWE054), 31,021 samplesCentre for Genetic Resources, Netherlands (NLD037), 23,821 samplesPlant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Poland (POL003), 15,524 samplesAgroscope Changins, Switzerland (CHE001), 12,242 samplesJohn Innes Centre, Germplasm Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR247), 10,750 samplesN.I. Vavilov All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry, Russia (RUS001), 6,082 samplesInstitute of Plant Production n.a. V.Y. Yurjev of UAAS, Ukraine (UKR001), 3,555 samplesAustrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Austria (AUT001), 2,363 samplesCzech Agrifood Research Center, Czechia (CZE122), 2,132 samplesInstitute for Plant Genetic Resources K. Malkov, Bulgaria (BGR001), 2,119 samplesInstitute of Plant Genetic resources, Albania (ALB026), 1,900 samplesPortuguese Bank of Plant Germplasm, Portugal (PRT001), 1,883 samplesResearch Institute of Plant Production Piestany, Slovakia (SVK001), 1,591 samplesAgencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain (ESP004), 1,550 samplesThe James Hutton Institute, United Kingdom (GBR251), 1,416 samplesWarwick Genetic Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR006), 1,376 samplesSuceava Genebank, Romania (ROU007), 1,284 samplesGenetic Resources Institute, University of Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH039), 1,148 samplesInstitute of Biosciences and BioResources - National Research Council, Italy (ITA436), 753 samplesOak Park Research Centre, Ireland (IRL001), 577 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ireland (IRL029), 435 samplesFabia CSB Bogdanci, North Macedonia (MKD007), 341 samplesScientific Practical Centre of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Arable Farming, Belarus (BLR011), 341 samplesThe Norwegian Forest Seed Centre, Norway (NOR056), 290 samplesThe Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Italy (ITA383), 271 samplesFaculty of Agriculture and Food Sciencies, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH036), 252 samplesLatvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', Latvia (LVA009), 246 samplesState Forest Service, Lithuania (LTU021), 244 samplesCentre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, Estonia (EST019), 236 samplesNational Plant Genebank, Ministry of Agriculture, Croatia (HRV059), 208 samplesInstitute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Serbia (SRB002), 96 samplesFederal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants - Institute of Fruit Breeding, Germany (DEU451), 25 samplesNational Agricultural Research Foundation Greece, Greece (GRC035), 25 samplesMillennium Seed Bank Project Seed Conservation Department Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst Place, United Kingdom (GBR004), 25 samplesBotanical Garden, University of Bonn, Germany (DEU038), 12 samplesSveaskogs Förvaltning AB, Sweden (SWE142), 8 samplesNatural Resources Institute Finland, Finland (FIN027), 7 samplesNational Institute for Agricultural Research, France (FRA040), 2 samplesLombardy Seed Bank, Botanical Garden, University of Pavia, Italy (ITA411), 2 samplesNational Plant Germplasm System, United States (USA996), 156,950 samplesPlant Gene Resources of Canada, Canada (CAN004), 34,952 samplesSeed Savers Exchange, United States (USA974), 4,437 samplesInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Agri'colas, Guatemala (GTM001), 950 samplesUniversidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica (CRI003), 187 samplesDesert Legume Program, United States (USA971), 134 samplesCherokee Nation, United States (USA1005), 9 samplesNational Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Genebank, South Korea (KOR011), 48,272 samplesTaiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taiwan (TWN006), 11,313 samplesBarley and Wild Plant Resources Center, National University Corporation Okayama University, Japan (JPN009), 5,922 samplesPyongyang AAS, North Korea (PRK013), 5,700 samplesPlant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan (PAK001), 4,932 samplesPhilippine Rice Research Institute, Philippines (PHL158), 4,417 samplesNational Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, Philippines (PHL129), 3,461 samplesNational Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources India, India (IND001), 3,292 samplesUzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry, Uzbekistan (UZB006), 2,058 samplesNational Rice Seed Storage Laboratory for Genetic Resources, Thailand (THA012), 1,906 samplesScientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Armenia (ARM059), 1,865 samplesRepublican National Genetic Resource Center, Tajikistan (TJK027), 1,646 samplesGenetic Resources Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan (AZE015), 1,522 samplesIndonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Biotechnology, Indonesia (IDN179), 1,050 samplesCan Tho University, Viet Nam (VNM139), 1,000 samplesInstitute of Creal Crop Improvement, Tel Aviv University, Israel (ISR003), 941 samplesBangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Bangladesh (BGD099), 725 samplesMalaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Malaysia (MYS219), 725 samplesBiotechnology, Plant Genetic Resources and Plant Protection Division, Myanmar (MMR003), 718 samplesWild Cereal Gene Bank, Israel (ISR037), 661 samplesKazakh Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Kazakhstan (KAZ057), 522 samplesLebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Lebanon (LBN020), 453 samplesDirectorate of Seed Testing and Certification, Iraq (IRQ001), 418 samplesPlant Science Agricultural Research and Training Institute, Mongolia (MNG030), 360 samplesI. Lamouri Research Institute of Farming, Georgia (GEO001), 305 samplesBorneo Institute, Indonesia (IDN415), 294 samplesScientific Centre of Vegetable and Industrial Crops, Armenia (ARM008), 234 samplesScientific Research Center of Agriculture, Georgia (GEO040), 206 samplesArmenian State Agrarian University, Laboratory of plant gene pool and breeding, Armenia (ARM035), 175 samplesChai Nat Field Crops Research Center, Thailand (THA214), 150 samplesAgricultural University of Georgia, Georgia (GEO028), 120 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Thailand (THA032), 55 samplesThe Chaipattana Foundation, Thailand (THA513), 34 samplesUnion Of Agricultural Work Committees, Palestine (PSE001), 23 samplesBaekdudaegan National Arboretum, South Korea (KOR048), 10 samplesTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory Limited, Singapore (SGP008), 7 samplesAustralian Pastures Genebank, Australia (AUS167), 38,422 samplesAustralian Grains Genebank, Australia (AUS165), 27,152 samplesMargot Forde Forage Germplasm Centre, AgResearch Ltd, New Zealand (NZL001), 3,121 samplesNational Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea (PNG025), 520 samplesAgricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre, Sudan (SDN002), 5,709 samplesNational Genebank of Kenya, Kenya (KEN015), 4,707 samplesInstitut d'Economie Rurale, Mali (MLI002), 4,486 samplesLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Sciences, Benin (BEN097), 2,954 samplesNigeria National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Nigeria (NGA010), 2,092 samplesAgricultural Research Institute of Burundi, Burundi (BDI003), 1,933 samplesInstitut National de la recherche Agronomique, Morocco (MAR123), 1,846 samplesGroupe de Recherche, Innovation agricole, Gestion de la biodiversité et Action pour un développement Durable et Equitable à la Base, Benin (BEN098), 1,203 samplesInstitut Tchadien de Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Chad (TCD022), 1,145 samplesThe National Center for Applied Research on Rural Development, Madagascar (MDG036), 1,045 samplesInstitute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Burkina Faso (BFA057), 1,040 samplesSeed Savers Network Organization, Kenya (KEN214), 1,000 samplesEcogerm Farmers, Cameroon (CMR205), 990 samplesThe Uganda National Genebank, Uganda (UGA528), 946 samplesMalawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Malawi (MWI041), 813 samplesObafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (NGA026), 560 samplesCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Ghana (GHA091), 420 samplesAhmadu Bello University, Nigeria (NGA021), 406 samplesInstitut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, Benin (BEN025), 381 samplesThe Permanent Secretariat of the National Commission for the Management of Plant Genetic Resources, Burkina Faso (BFA084), 370 samplesBiodiversity Education and Resource Centre, Nigeria (NGA136), 362 samplesInstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, Niger (NER001), 204 samplesNational Horticultural Research Institute, Nigeria (NGA003), 199 samplesUniversity of Cape Coast, Ghana (GHA021), 100 samplesThe Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brazil (BRA008), 8,149 samplesInstituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria, Uruguay (URY003), 4,182 samplesUniversidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru (PER002), 1,296 samplesInstituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciónes Agropecuarias, Ecuador (ECU076), 1,058 samplesParque de la Papa, Peru (PER862), 750 samplesAnne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie, Suriname (SUR007), 577 samplesInstituto de Agroecología y Seguridad Alimentaria de la Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, Bolivia (BOL321), 500 samplesInstituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Chile (CHL044), 145 samplesInstituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Peru (PER773), 96 samples

CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center · IRRI International Rice Research Institute · ICRISAT International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics · ICARDA International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas · AVRDC The World Vegetable Center · CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture · IITA International Institute of Tropical Agriculture · IPK Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany · CGN Centre for Genetic Resources, Netherlands · NPGS National Plant Germplasm System, United States · PGRC Plant Gene Resources of Canada · RDA National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Genebank, South Korea · APG Australian Pastures Genebank · AGG Australian Grains Genebank

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, international centre, 190,453 samplesInternational Rice Research Institute, international centre, 135,597 samplesInternational Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, international centre, 128,206 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 71,229 samplesThe World Vegetable Center, international centre, 62,238 samplesInternational Center for Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 58,631 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 57,804 samplesInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 24,448 samplesAfrica Rice Center, international centre, 22,381 samplesSADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre, international centre, 17,258 samplesCentro Internacional de la Papa, international centre, 10,958 samplesInternational Livestock Research Institute, international centre, 10,867 samplesCentro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, international centre, 2,414 samplesWorld Agroforestry Centre, international centre, 2,375 samplesInternational Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, international centre, 290 samplesLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany (DEU146), 72,507 samplesNordic Genetic Resource Center, Sweden (SWE054), 31,021 samplesCentre for Genetic Resources, Netherlands (NLD037), 23,821 samplesPlant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Poland (POL003), 15,524 samplesAgroscope Changins, Switzerland (CHE001), 12,242 samplesJohn Innes Centre, Germplasm Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR247), 10,750 samplesN.I. Vavilov All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry, Russia (RUS001), 6,082 samplesInstitute of Plant Production n.a. V.Y. Yurjev of UAAS, Ukraine (UKR001), 3,555 samplesAustrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Austria (AUT001), 2,363 samplesCzech Agrifood Research Center, Czechia (CZE122), 2,132 samplesInstitute for Plant Genetic Resources K. Malkov, Bulgaria (BGR001), 2,119 samplesInstitute of Plant Genetic resources, Albania (ALB026), 1,900 samplesPortuguese Bank of Plant Germplasm, Portugal (PRT001), 1,883 samplesResearch Institute of Plant Production Piestany, Slovakia (SVK001), 1,591 samplesAgencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain (ESP004), 1,550 samplesThe James Hutton Institute, United Kingdom (GBR251), 1,416 samplesWarwick Genetic Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR006), 1,376 samplesSuceava Genebank, Romania (ROU007), 1,284 samplesGenetic Resources Institute, University of Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH039), 1,148 samplesInstitute of Biosciences and BioResources - National Research Council, Italy (ITA436), 753 samplesOak Park Research Centre, Ireland (IRL001), 577 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ireland (IRL029), 435 samplesFabia CSB Bogdanci, North Macedonia (MKD007), 341 samplesScientific Practical Centre of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Arable Farming, Belarus (BLR011), 341 samplesThe Norwegian Forest Seed Centre, Norway (NOR056), 290 samplesThe Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Italy (ITA383), 271 samplesFaculty of Agriculture and Food Sciencies, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH036), 252 samplesLatvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', Latvia (LVA009), 246 samplesState Forest Service, Lithuania (LTU021), 244 samplesCentre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, Estonia (EST019), 236 samplesNational Plant Genebank, Ministry of Agriculture, Croatia (HRV059), 208 samplesInstitute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Serbia (SRB002), 96 samplesFederal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants - Institute of Fruit Breeding, Germany (DEU451), 25 samplesNational Agricultural Research Foundation Greece, Greece (GRC035), 25 samplesMillennium Seed Bank Project Seed Conservation Department Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst Place, United Kingdom (GBR004), 25 samplesBotanical Garden, University of Bonn, Germany (DEU038), 12 samplesSveaskogs Förvaltning AB, Sweden (SWE142), 8 samplesNatural Resources Institute Finland, Finland (FIN027), 7 samplesNational Institute for Agricultural Research, France (FRA040), 2 samplesLombardy Seed Bank, Botanical Garden, University of Pavia, Italy (ITA411), 2 samplesNational Plant Germplasm System, United States (USA996), 156,950 samplesPlant Gene Resources of Canada, Canada (CAN004), 34,952 samplesSeed Savers Exchange, United States (USA974), 4,437 samplesInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Agri'colas, Guatemala (GTM001), 950 samplesUniversidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica (CRI003), 187 samplesDesert Legume Program, United States (USA971), 134 samplesCherokee Nation, United States (USA1005), 9 samplesNational Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Genebank, South Korea (KOR011), 48,272 samplesTaiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taiwan (TWN006), 11,313 samplesBarley and Wild Plant Resources Center, National University Corporation Okayama University, Japan (JPN009), 5,922 samplesPyongyang AAS, North Korea (PRK013), 5,700 samplesPlant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan (PAK001), 4,932 samplesPhilippine Rice Research Institute, Philippines (PHL158), 4,417 samplesNational Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, Philippines (PHL129), 3,461 samplesNational Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources India, India (IND001), 3,292 samplesUzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry, Uzbekistan (UZB006), 2,058 samplesNational Rice Seed Storage Laboratory for Genetic Resources, Thailand (THA012), 1,906 samplesScientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Armenia (ARM059), 1,865 samplesRepublican National Genetic Resource Center, Tajikistan (TJK027), 1,646 samplesGenetic Resources Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan (AZE015), 1,522 samplesIndonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Biotechnology, Indonesia (IDN179), 1,050 samplesCan Tho University, Viet Nam (VNM139), 1,000 samplesInstitute of Creal Crop Improvement, Tel Aviv University, Israel (ISR003), 941 samplesBangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Bangladesh (BGD099), 725 samplesMalaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Malaysia (MYS219), 725 samplesBiotechnology, Plant Genetic Resources and Plant Protection Division, Myanmar (MMR003), 718 samplesWild Cereal Gene Bank, Israel (ISR037), 661 samplesKazakh Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Kazakhstan (KAZ057), 522 samplesLebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Lebanon (LBN020), 453 samplesDirectorate of Seed Testing and Certification, Iraq (IRQ001), 418 samplesPlant Science Agricultural Research and Training Institute, Mongolia (MNG030), 360 samplesI. Lamouri Research Institute of Farming, Georgia (GEO001), 305 samplesBorneo Institute, Indonesia (IDN415), 294 samplesScientific Centre of Vegetable and Industrial Crops, Armenia (ARM008), 234 samplesScientific Research Center of Agriculture, Georgia (GEO040), 206 samplesArmenian State Agrarian University, Laboratory of plant gene pool and breeding, Armenia (ARM035), 175 samplesChai Nat Field Crops Research Center, Thailand (THA214), 150 samplesAgricultural University of Georgia, Georgia (GEO028), 120 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Thailand (THA032), 55 samplesThe Chaipattana Foundation, Thailand (THA513), 34 samplesUnion Of Agricultural Work Committees, Palestine (PSE001), 23 samplesBaekdudaegan National Arboretum, South Korea (KOR048), 10 samplesTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory Limited, Singapore (SGP008), 7 samplesAustralian Pastures Genebank, Australia (AUS167), 38,422 samplesAustralian Grains Genebank, Australia (AUS165), 27,152 samplesMargot Forde Forage Germplasm Centre, AgResearch Ltd, New Zealand (NZL001), 3,121 samplesNational Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea (PNG025), 520 samplesAgricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre, Sudan (SDN002), 5,709 samplesNational Genebank of Kenya, Kenya (KEN015), 4,707 samplesInstitut d'Economie Rurale, Mali (MLI002), 4,486 samplesLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Sciences, Benin (BEN097), 2,954 samplesNigeria National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Nigeria (NGA010), 2,092 samplesAgricultural Research Institute of Burundi, Burundi (BDI003), 1,933 samplesInstitut National de la recherche Agronomique, Morocco (MAR123), 1,846 samplesGroupe de Recherche, Innovation agricole, Gestion de la biodiversité et Action pour un développement Durable et Equitable à la Base, Benin (BEN098), 1,203 samplesInstitut Tchadien de Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Chad (TCD022), 1,145 samplesThe National Center for Applied Research on Rural Development, Madagascar (MDG036), 1,045 samplesInstitute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Burkina Faso (BFA057), 1,040 samplesSeed Savers Network Organization, Kenya (KEN214), 1,000 samplesEcogerm Farmers, Cameroon (CMR205), 990 samplesThe Uganda National Genebank, Uganda (UGA528), 946 samplesMalawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Malawi (MWI041), 813 samplesObafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (NGA026), 560 samplesCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Ghana (GHA091), 420 samplesAhmadu Bello University, Nigeria (NGA021), 406 samplesInstitut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, Benin (BEN025), 381 samplesThe Permanent Secretariat of the National Commission for the Management of Plant Genetic Resources, Burkina Faso (BFA084), 370 samplesBiodiversity Education and Resource Centre, Nigeria (NGA136), 362 samplesInstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, Niger (NER001), 204 samplesNational Horticultural Research Institute, Nigeria (NGA003), 199 samplesUniversity of Cape Coast, Ghana (GHA021), 100 samplesThe Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brazil (BRA008), 8,149 samplesInstituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria, Uruguay (URY003), 4,182 samplesUniversidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru (PER002), 1,296 samplesInstituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciónes Agropecuarias, Ecuador (ECU076), 1,058 samplesParque de la Papa, Peru (PER862), 750 samplesAnne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie, Suriname (SUR007), 577 samplesInstituto de Agroecología y Seguridad Alimentaria de la Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, Bolivia (BOL321), 500 samplesInstituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Chile (CHL044), 145 samplesInstituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Peru (PER773), 96 samples

CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center · IRRI International Rice Research Institute · ICRISAT International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics · ICARDA International Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas · AVRDC The World Vegetable Center · CIAT International Center for Tropical Agriculture · IPK Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany · NPGS National Plant Germplasm System, United States · RDA National Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Genebank, South Korea

International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center, international centre, 190,453 samplesInternational Rice Research Institute, international centre, 135,597 samplesInternational Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics, international centre, 128,206 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 71,229 samplesThe World Vegetable Center, international centre, 62,238 samplesInternational Center for Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 58,631 samplesInternational Centre for Agricultural Research in Dry Areas, international centre, 57,804 samplesInternational Institute of Tropical Agriculture, international centre, 24,448 samplesAfrica Rice Center, international centre, 22,381 samplesSADC Plant Genetic Resources Centre, international centre, 17,258 samplesCentro Internacional de la Papa, international centre, 10,958 samplesInternational Livestock Research Institute, international centre, 10,867 samplesCentro Agronómico Tropical de Investigación y Enseñanza, international centre, 2,414 samplesWorld Agroforestry Centre, international centre, 2,375 samplesInternational Centre for Biosaline Agriculture, international centre, 290 samplesLeibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany (DEU146), 72,507 samplesNordic Genetic Resource Center, Sweden (SWE054), 31,021 samplesCentre for Genetic Resources, Netherlands (NLD037), 23,821 samplesPlant Breeding and Acclimatization Institute, Poland (POL003), 15,524 samplesAgroscope Changins, Switzerland (CHE001), 12,242 samplesJohn Innes Centre, Germplasm Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR247), 10,750 samplesN.I. Vavilov All-Russian Scientific Research Institute of Plant Industry, Russia (RUS001), 6,082 samplesInstitute of Plant Production n.a. V.Y. Yurjev of UAAS, Ukraine (UKR001), 3,555 samplesAustrian Agency for Health and Food Safety, Austria (AUT001), 2,363 samplesCzech Agrifood Research Center, Czechia (CZE122), 2,132 samplesInstitute for Plant Genetic Resources K. Malkov, Bulgaria (BGR001), 2,119 samplesInstitute of Plant Genetic resources, Albania (ALB026), 1,900 samplesPortuguese Bank of Plant Germplasm, Portugal (PRT001), 1,883 samplesResearch Institute of Plant Production Piestany, Slovakia (SVK001), 1,591 samplesAgencia Estatal Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas, Spain (ESP004), 1,550 samplesThe James Hutton Institute, United Kingdom (GBR251), 1,416 samplesWarwick Genetic Resources Unit, United Kingdom (GBR006), 1,376 samplesSuceava Genebank, Romania (ROU007), 1,284 samplesGenetic Resources Institute, University of Banjaluka, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH039), 1,148 samplesInstitute of Biosciences and BioResources - National Research Council, Italy (ITA436), 753 samplesOak Park Research Centre, Ireland (IRL001), 577 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Food and Rural Development, Ireland (IRL029), 435 samplesFabia CSB Bogdanci, North Macedonia (MKD007), 341 samplesScientific Practical Centre of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus for Arable Farming, Belarus (BLR011), 341 samplesThe Norwegian Forest Seed Centre, Norway (NOR056), 290 samplesThe Council for Agricultural Research and Economics (CREA), Italy (ITA383), 271 samplesFaculty of Agriculture and Food Sciencies, University of Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina (BIH036), 252 samplesLatvian State Forest Research Institute 'Silava', Latvia (LVA009), 246 samplesState Forest Service, Lithuania (LTU021), 244 samplesCentre of Estonian Rural Research and Knowledge, Estonia (EST019), 236 samplesNational Plant Genebank, Ministry of Agriculture, Croatia (HRV059), 208 samplesInstitute of Field and Vegetable Crops, Serbia (SRB002), 96 samplesFederal Research Centre for Cultivated Plants - Institute of Fruit Breeding, Germany (DEU451), 25 samplesNational Agricultural Research Foundation Greece, Greece (GRC035), 25 samplesMillennium Seed Bank Project Seed Conservation Department Royal Botanic Gardens Kew Wakehurst Place, United Kingdom (GBR004), 25 samplesBotanical Garden, University of Bonn, Germany (DEU038), 12 samplesSveaskogs Förvaltning AB, Sweden (SWE142), 8 samplesNatural Resources Institute Finland, Finland (FIN027), 7 samplesNational Institute for Agricultural Research, France (FRA040), 2 samplesLombardy Seed Bank, Botanical Garden, University of Pavia, Italy (ITA411), 2 samplesNational Plant Germplasm System, United States (USA996), 156,950 samplesPlant Gene Resources of Canada, Canada (CAN004), 34,952 samplesSeed Savers Exchange, United States (USA974), 4,437 samplesInstituto de Ciencia y Tecnologia Agri'colas, Guatemala (GTM001), 950 samplesUniversidad de Costa Rica, Costa Rica (CRI003), 187 samplesDesert Legume Program, United States (USA971), 134 samplesCherokee Nation, United States (USA1005), 9 samplesNational Institute of Agricultural Sciences, Rural Development Genebank, South Korea (KOR011), 48,272 samplesTaiwan Agricultural Research Institute, Taiwan (TWN006), 11,313 samplesBarley and Wild Plant Resources Center, National University Corporation Okayama University, Japan (JPN009), 5,922 samplesPyongyang AAS, North Korea (PRK013), 5,700 samplesPlant Genetic Resources Institute, National Agricultural Research Centre, Pakistan (PAK001), 4,932 samplesPhilippine Rice Research Institute, Philippines (PHL158), 4,417 samplesNational Plant Genetic Resources Laboratory, Philippines (PHL129), 3,461 samplesNational Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources India, India (IND001), 3,292 samplesUzbek Research Institute of Plant Industry, Uzbekistan (UZB006), 2,058 samplesNational Rice Seed Storage Laboratory for Genetic Resources, Thailand (THA012), 1,906 samplesScientific Center of Agrobiotechnology, Armenian National Agrarian University, Armenia (ARM059), 1,865 samplesRepublican National Genetic Resource Center, Tajikistan (TJK027), 1,646 samplesGenetic Resources Institute of the Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Azerbaijan (AZE015), 1,522 samplesIndonesian Center for Agricultural Biotechnology and Genetic Resources Research and Biotechnology, Indonesia (IDN179), 1,050 samplesCan Tho University, Viet Nam (VNM139), 1,000 samplesInstitute of Creal Crop Improvement, Tel Aviv University, Israel (ISR003), 941 samplesBangladesh Rural Advancement Committee, Bangladesh (BGD099), 725 samplesMalaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute, Malaysia (MYS219), 725 samplesBiotechnology, Plant Genetic Resources and Plant Protection Division, Myanmar (MMR003), 718 samplesWild Cereal Gene Bank, Israel (ISR037), 661 samplesKazakh Scientific Research Institute of Agriculture and Plant Growing, Kazakhstan (KAZ057), 522 samplesLebanese Agricultural Research Institute, Lebanon (LBN020), 453 samplesDirectorate of Seed Testing and Certification, Iraq (IRQ001), 418 samplesPlant Science Agricultural Research and Training Institute, Mongolia (MNG030), 360 samplesI. Lamouri Research Institute of Farming, Georgia (GEO001), 305 samplesBorneo Institute, Indonesia (IDN415), 294 samplesScientific Centre of Vegetable and Industrial Crops, Armenia (ARM008), 234 samplesScientific Research Center of Agriculture, Georgia (GEO040), 206 samplesArmenian State Agrarian University, Laboratory of plant gene pool and breeding, Armenia (ARM035), 175 samplesChai Nat Field Crops Research Center, Thailand (THA214), 150 samplesAgricultural University of Georgia, Georgia (GEO028), 120 samplesDepartment of Agriculture, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperation, Thailand (THA032), 55 samplesThe Chaipattana Foundation, Thailand (THA513), 34 samplesUnion Of Agricultural Work Committees, Palestine (PSE001), 23 samplesBaekdudaegan National Arboretum, South Korea (KOR048), 10 samplesTemasek Life Sciences Laboratory Limited, Singapore (SGP008), 7 samplesAustralian Pastures Genebank, Australia (AUS167), 38,422 samplesAustralian Grains Genebank, Australia (AUS165), 27,152 samplesMargot Forde Forage Germplasm Centre, AgResearch Ltd, New Zealand (NZL001), 3,121 samplesNational Agricultural Research Institute, Papua New Guinea (PNG025), 520 samplesAgricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre, Sudan (SDN002), 5,709 samplesNational Genebank of Kenya, Kenya (KEN015), 4,707 samplesInstitut d'Economie Rurale, Mali (MLI002), 4,486 samplesLaboratory of Genetics, Biotechnology and Seed Sciences, Benin (BEN097), 2,954 samplesNigeria National Centre for Genetic Resources and Biotechnology, Nigeria (NGA010), 2,092 samplesAgricultural Research Institute of Burundi, Burundi (BDI003), 1,933 samplesInstitut National de la recherche Agronomique, Morocco (MAR123), 1,846 samplesGroupe de Recherche, Innovation agricole, Gestion de la biodiversité et Action pour un développement Durable et Equitable à la Base, Benin (BEN098), 1,203 samplesInstitut Tchadien de Recherche Agronomique pour le Développement, Chad (TCD022), 1,145 samplesThe National Center for Applied Research on Rural Development, Madagascar (MDG036), 1,045 samplesInstitute of Environment and Agricultural Research, Burkina Faso (BFA057), 1,040 samplesSeed Savers Network Organization, Kenya (KEN214), 1,000 samplesEcogerm Farmers, Cameroon (CMR205), 990 samplesThe Uganda National Genebank, Uganda (UGA528), 946 samplesMalawi Plant Genetic Resources Centre, Malawi (MWI041), 813 samplesObafemi Awolowo University, Nigeria (NGA026), 560 samplesCouncil for Scientific and Industrial Research – Plant Genetic Resources Research Institute, Ghana (GHA091), 420 samplesAhmadu Bello University, Nigeria (NGA021), 406 samplesInstitut National des Recherches Agricoles du Bénin, Benin (BEN025), 381 samplesThe Permanent Secretariat of the National Commission for the Management of Plant Genetic Resources, Burkina Faso (BFA084), 370 samplesBiodiversity Education and Resource Centre, Nigeria (NGA136), 362 samplesInstitut National de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger, Niger (NER001), 204 samplesNational Horticultural Research Institute, Nigeria (NGA003), 199 samplesUniversity of Cape Coast, Ghana (GHA021), 100 samplesThe Brazilian Agricultural Research Corporation, Brazil (BRA008), 8,149 samplesInstituto Nacional de Investigacion Agropecuaria, Uruguay (URY003), 4,182 samplesUniversidad Nacional Agraria La Molina, Peru (PER002), 1,296 samplesInstituto Nacional Autónomo de Investigaciónes Agropecuarias, Ecuador (ECU076), 1,058 samplesParque de la Papa, Peru (PER862), 750 samplesAnne van Dijk Rice Research Centre Nickerie, Suriname (SUR007), 577 samplesInstituto de Agroecología y Seguridad Alimentaria de la Universidad Mayor Real y Pontificia de San Francisco Xavier de Chuquisaca, Bolivia (BOL321), 500 samplesInstituto de Investigaciones Agropecuarias, Chile (CHL044), 145 samplesInstituto Nacional de Innovación Agraria, Peru (PER773), 96 samples

CIMMYT International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center · IRRI International Rice Research Institute · ICRISAT International Crop Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics · IPK Leibniz Institute of Plant Genetics and Crop Plant Research, Germany · NPGS National Plant Germplasm System, United States

Explore the 135 genebanks
Graphic: Svalbard Wire · Sources: NordGen Seed Portal, retrieved ; ICARDA: seedvault.no 2019; Ukraine: regjeringen.no 14 October 2026; CREA: Crop Trust October 2026. The country is read from the institute code; the international centres are counted apart.

The vault has opened for deposits on 73 days since 26 February 2008; the largest day, 26 February 2008, brought 237,106 samples, and the latest, 13 October 2026, 16,514.

Each mark is one day the vault opened; its area is the samples that came in. The smallest days are drawn at the smallest size that can be seen. An outlined mark is a day the portal lists with no samples under it.

26 February 2008, 237,106 samples from 18 genebanks18 March 2008, 945 samples from one genebank10 June 2008, 20,266 samples from two genebanks29 September 2008, 31,652 samples from four genebanks12 February 2009, 3,291 samples from one genebank24 February 2009, 50,496 samples from six genebanks17 April 2009, 5,371 samples from three genebanks17 June 2009, 11,453 samples from four genebanks5 October 2009, 6,287 samples from two genebanks14 December 2009, 28,305 samples from two genebanks10 March 2010, 31,811 samples from seven genebanks3 May 2010, 3,260 samples from one genebank11 November 2010, 74,835 samples from eight genebanks16 February 2011, 32,589 samples from seven genebanks26 April 2011, 4,534 samples from four genebanks23 June 2011, 17,380 samples from 10 genebanks4 October 2011, 49,049 samples from seven genebanks7 December 2011, 2,052 samples from two genebanks1 March 2012, 16,403 samples from six genebanks25 April 2012, 5,636 samples from five genebanks9 October 2012, 27,417 samples from 18 genebanks25 February 2013, 6,547 samples from four genebanks29 May 2013, 2,188 samples from two genebanks10 October 2013, 14,854 samples from four genebanks21 November 2013, 2,337 samples from one genebank25 February 2014, 15,891 samples from six genebanks9 April 2014, 1,482 samples from two genebanks14 October 2014, 9,301 samples from four genebanks17 November 2014, 5,878 samples from one genebank27 February 2015, 24,168 samples from six genebanks21 April 2015, 340 samples from one genebank27 August 2015, 756 samples from two genebanks21 September 2015, 806 samples from one genebank20 October 2015, 10,060 samples from five genebanks8 January 2016, 2,013 samples from one genebank1 March 2016, 3,529 samples from two genebanks20 May 2016, 8,194 samples from four genebanks23 June 2016, two samples from one genebank22 September 2016, 19,375 samples from one genebank18 October 2016, 9,866 samples from nine genebanks24 February 2017, 49,754 samples from 10 genebanks10 May 2017, 2,713 samples from two genebanks5 September 2017, 7,511 samples from one genebank18 October 2017, 4,425 samples from three genebanks26 February 2018, 77,714 samples from 23 genebanks21 August 2018, 3,860 samples from five genebanks1 November 2018, 14,045 samples from six genebanks29 March 2019, 1,023 samples from one genebank6 June 2019, 538 samples from two genebanks20 August 2019, 1,158 samples from one genebank22 October 2019, 31,556 samples from five genebanks27 February 2020, 65,078 samples from 34 genebanks27 August 2020, 2,922 samples from one genebank27 October 2020, 13,395 samples from seven genebanks17 February 2021, 7,558 samples from six genebanks1 June 2021, 30,419 samples from seven genebanks26 October 2021, 14,183 samples from 13 genebanks14 February 2022, 20,274 samples from nine genebanks9 June 2022, 19,544 samples from 11 genebanks10 October 2022, 50,141 samples from 14 genebanks26 February 2023, 16,844 samples from 19 genebanks29 March 2023, no samples listed by the portal6 June 2023, 22,943 samples from nine genebanks24 October 2023, 11,804 samples from 16 genebanks27 February 2024, 13,550 samples from 22 genebanks28 May 2024, 20,720 samples from 15 genebanks22 October 2024, 30,060 samples from 22 genebanks25 February 2025, 13,936 samples from 20 genebanks3 June 2025, 11,198 samples from 13 genebanks21 October 2025, 21,647 samples from 19 genebanks25 February 2026, 6,213 samples from nine genebanks16 June 2026, 16,834 samples from 11 genebanks13 October 2026, 16,514 samples from 20 genebanks
26 February 2008, 237,106 samples from 18 genebanks18 March 2008, 945 samples from one genebank10 June 2008, 20,266 samples from two genebanks29 September 2008, 31,652 samples from four genebanks12 February 2009, 3,291 samples from one genebank24 February 2009, 50,496 samples from six genebanks17 April 2009, 5,371 samples from three genebanks17 June 2009, 11,453 samples from four genebanks5 October 2009, 6,287 samples from two genebanks14 December 2009, 28,305 samples from two genebanks10 March 2010, 31,811 samples from seven genebanks3 May 2010, 3,260 samples from one genebank11 November 2010, 74,835 samples from eight genebanks16 February 2011, 32,589 samples from seven genebanks26 April 2011, 4,534 samples from four genebanks23 June 2011, 17,380 samples from 10 genebanks4 October 2011, 49,049 samples from seven genebanks7 December 2011, 2,052 samples from two genebanks1 March 2012, 16,403 samples from six genebanks25 April 2012, 5,636 samples from five genebanks9 October 2012, 27,417 samples from 18 genebanks25 February 2013, 6,547 samples from four genebanks29 May 2013, 2,188 samples from two genebanks10 October 2013, 14,854 samples from four genebanks21 November 2013, 2,337 samples from one genebank25 February 2014, 15,891 samples from six genebanks9 April 2014, 1,482 samples from two genebanks14 October 2014, 9,301 samples from four genebanks17 November 2014, 5,878 samples from one genebank27 February 2015, 24,168 samples from six genebanks21 April 2015, 340 samples from one genebank27 August 2015, 756 samples from two genebanks21 September 2015, 806 samples from one genebank20 October 2015, 10,060 samples from five genebanks8 January 2016, 2,013 samples from one genebank1 March 2016, 3,529 samples from two genebanks20 May 2016, 8,194 samples from four genebanks23 June 2016, two samples from one genebank22 September 2016, 19,375 samples from one genebank18 October 2016, 9,866 samples from nine genebanks24 February 2017, 49,754 samples from 10 genebanks10 May 2017, 2,713 samples from two genebanks5 September 2017, 7,511 samples from one genebank18 October 2017, 4,425 samples from three genebanks26 February 2018, 77,714 samples from 23 genebanks21 August 2018, 3,860 samples from five genebanks1 November 2018, 14,045 samples from six genebanks29 March 2019, 1,023 samples from one genebank6 June 2019, 538 samples from two genebanks20 August 2019, 1,158 samples from one genebank22 October 2019, 31,556 samples from five genebanks27 February 2020, 65,078 samples from 34 genebanks27 August 2020, 2,922 samples from one genebank27 October 2020, 13,395 samples from seven genebanks17 February 2021, 7,558 samples from six genebanks1 June 2021, 30,419 samples from seven genebanks26 October 2021, 14,183 samples from 13 genebanks14 February 2022, 20,274 samples from nine genebanks9 June 2022, 19,544 samples from 11 genebanks10 October 2022, 50,141 samples from 14 genebanks26 February 2023, 16,844 samples from 19 genebanks29 March 2023, no samples listed by the portal6 June 2023, 22,943 samples from nine genebanks24 October 2023, 11,804 samples from 16 genebanks27 February 2024, 13,550 samples from 22 genebanks28 May 2024, 20,720 samples from 15 genebanks22 October 2024, 30,060 samples from 22 genebanks25 February 2025, 13,936 samples from 20 genebanks3 June 2025, 11,198 samples from 13 genebanks21 October 2025, 21,647 samples from 19 genebanks25 February 2026, 6,213 samples from nine genebanks16 June 2026, 16,834 samples from 11 genebanks13 October 2026, 16,514 samples from 20 genebanks
26 February 2008, 237,106 samples from 18 genebanks18 March 2008, 945 samples from one genebank10 June 2008, 20,266 samples from two genebanks29 September 2008, 31,652 samples from four genebanks12 February 2009, 3,291 samples from one genebank24 February 2009, 50,496 samples from six genebanks17 April 2009, 5,371 samples from three genebanks17 June 2009, 11,453 samples from four genebanks5 October 2009, 6,287 samples from two genebanks14 December 2009, 28,305 samples from two genebanks10 March 2010, 31,811 samples from seven genebanks3 May 2010, 3,260 samples from one genebank11 November 2010, 74,835 samples from eight genebanks16 February 2011, 32,589 samples from seven genebanks26 April 2011, 4,534 samples from four genebanks23 June 2011, 17,380 samples from 10 genebanks4 October 2011, 49,049 samples from seven genebanks7 December 2011, 2,052 samples from two genebanks1 March 2012, 16,403 samples from six genebanks25 April 2012, 5,636 samples from five genebanks9 October 2012, 27,417 samples from 18 genebanks25 February 2013, 6,547 samples from four genebanks29 May 2013, 2,188 samples from two genebanks10 October 2013, 14,854 samples from four genebanks21 November 2013, 2,337 samples from one genebank25 February 2014, 15,891 samples from six genebanks9 April 2014, 1,482 samples from two genebanks14 October 2014, 9,301 samples from four genebanks17 November 2014, 5,878 samples from one genebank27 February 2015, 24,168 samples from six genebanks21 April 2015, 340 samples from one genebank27 August 2015, 756 samples from two genebanks21 September 2015, 806 samples from one genebank20 October 2015, 10,060 samples from five genebanks8 January 2016, 2,013 samples from one genebank1 March 2016, 3,529 samples from two genebanks20 May 2016, 8,194 samples from four genebanks23 June 2016, two samples from one genebank22 September 2016, 19,375 samples from one genebank18 October 2016, 9,866 samples from nine genebanks24 February 2017, 49,754 samples from 10 genebanks10 May 2017, 2,713 samples from two genebanks5 September 2017, 7,511 samples from one genebank18 October 2017, 4,425 samples from three genebanks26 February 2018, 77,714 samples from 23 genebanks21 August 2018, 3,860 samples from five genebanks1 November 2018, 14,045 samples from six genebanks29 March 2019, 1,023 samples from one genebank6 June 2019, 538 samples from two genebanks20 August 2019, 1,158 samples from one genebank22 October 2019, 31,556 samples from five genebanks27 February 2020, 65,078 samples from 34 genebanks27 August 2020, 2,922 samples from one genebank27 October 2020, 13,395 samples from seven genebanks17 February 2021, 7,558 samples from six genebanks1 June 2021, 30,419 samples from seven genebanks26 October 2021, 14,183 samples from 13 genebanks14 February 2022, 20,274 samples from nine genebanks9 June 2022, 19,544 samples from 11 genebanks10 October 2022, 50,141 samples from 14 genebanks26 February 2023, 16,844 samples from 19 genebanks29 March 2023, no samples listed by the portal6 June 2023, 22,943 samples from nine genebanks24 October 2023, 11,804 samples from 16 genebanks27 February 2024, 13,550 samples from 22 genebanks28 May 2024, 20,720 samples from 15 genebanks22 October 2024, 30,060 samples from 22 genebanks25 February 2025, 13,936 samples from 20 genebanks3 June 2025, 11,198 samples from 13 genebanks21 October 2025, 21,647 samples from 19 genebanks25 February 2026, 6,213 samples from nine genebanks16 June 2026, 16,834 samples from 11 genebanks13 October 2026, 16,514 samples from 20 genebanks
Explore the deposit days
Graphic: Svalbard Wire · Sources: NordGen Seed Portal (deposit events and seed sample exports), retrieved .

The vault holds 1.4 million seed samples, 95% of one hall; it has room for 4.5 million.

The three halls of the vault, drawn the same size because each holds the same number of samples; the dark part is the samples kept today.

Hall 1in useHall 2not in useHall 3not in use1.4 millionEach hall: room for about 1.5 million samplesInside the mountainmore than 100 mRock above the halls40 to 60 mSeed store-18 °CPermafrost in the mountain-3 to -4 °C
Hall 1in useHall 2not in useHall 3not in use1.4 millionEach hall: room for about 1.5 million samplesInside the mountainmore than 100 mRock above the halls40 to 60 mSeed store-18 °CPermafrost in the mountain-3 to -4 °C
Hall 1in useHall 2not in useHall 3not in use1.4 millionEach hall: room for about 1.5 million samplesInside the mountainmore than 100 mRock above the halls40 to 60 mSeed store-18 °CPermafrost in the mountain-3 to -4 °C
Explore the vault
Graphic: Svalbard Wire · Sources: halls, capacity, depth and temperatures: Svalbard Global Seed Vault, retrieved . Samples kept today: NordGen Seed Portal, retrieved .

Svalbard Wire, from 4 sourcesPublished 24 October

What happened

The Svalbard Global Seed Vault received the 2026 Princess of Asturias Award for International Cooperation at a ceremony in Oviedo, Spain, attended by, among others, the entire Spanish Royal Family. Nils Kristen Sandtrøen, Norway's Minister of Agriculture and Food, thanked the Princess of Asturias Foundation on behalf of the government and its two partners in the vault, the Crop Trust and NordGen. The ministry published the news on 24 October.1

The award itself was announced on 21 May. For the International Cooperation category, 32 candidatures from 17 nationalities were put forward.23

Why it matters

The jury's citation describes a multilateral model, with Norway in a leading role, that brings together countries, scientific institutions and international organisations to safeguard the genetic foundation of food systems.1

The vault opened in 2008, deep inside a mountain on Svalbard. It holds duplicate seed samples from genebanks around the world, as a backup against natural disasters, conflict, climate change and policy failures. Depositors keep ownership of their seeds and are the only ones with access to them.34

The backup has been used. In 2015, with the war in Syria, the research centre ICARDA had to evacuate its headquarters in Aleppo; a significant part of its collection had been duplicated in Svalbard and was withdrawn from the end of that year, with a second phase in 2017, to be planted in Lebanon and Morocco. On 13 October 2026 seed samples from Ukraine's Kharkiv genebank were deposited in the vault.24

Who said what

"Together, we are responsible for the operation of the Seed Vault, and we have funded the Svalbard Global Seed Vault since its establishment nearly twenty years ago," Sandtrøen said. With more than 130 depositors, he added, as many as 1.4 million seed samples of the most important food crops have been secured. In May the foundation counted more than 1.3 million samples.12

Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture, said: "When a genebank collection is at risk, timely support can determine whether irreplaceable crop diversity is saved or lost." Stefan Schmitz, Executive Director of the Crop Trust, said in May that the vault is special because of the seeds and also because of the level of trust and cooperation behind them.43

What comes next

The prize money is already spoken for. On 22 October the three partners announced that the EUR 50,000 will go to the Emergency Reserve for Genebanks, which the Crop Trust administers jointly with the Secretariat of the International Treaty. It will help one or more eligible genebanks prepare and deposit safety duplicates of critical seed collections in the vault. The partners will agree on the support together and give priority to collections that could not otherwise be deposited.5

The reserve was established in 2021 and has supported interventions in 12 countries. According to FAO, demand for emergency support continues to exceed the resources available.4

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