In Copenhagen on Feb 25, the Svalbard Global Seed Vault, located on a remote Norwegian Arctic island, will receive over 14,000 new samples on Tuesday, announced a facility custodian. Launched in 2008 as a safeguard for plant species, the vault is nestled deep inside a mountain to endure catastrophes. Over the years, it has stored seeds from across the globe and facilitated seed recovery efforts post-conflicts such as the Syrian war.

Stefan Schmitz, the Executive Director of the Crop Trust, highlighted the significance of the seeds being deposited, mentioning their representation of biodiversity, community knowledge, culture, and resilience. The recent additions encompass 15 species from Sudan, notably diverse sorghum varieties essential for food security and cultural heritage.

The conflict in Sudan starting in April 2023 has had devastating ramifications, with millions affected by violence and hunger. The director of Sudan's Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Research Centre emphasized the symbolic hope these seeds hold for Sudan. The upcoming deposit at 1430 GMT will include samples of Nordic tree species from Sweden and rice from Thailand.