 They say the only constant in life is change, changing trends, technologies, market demands, a changing climate. All these changes impact the food we eat, and the global food system that provides it, including the livestock sector. Across the planet, around 1 billion people rely on livestock for their livelihood. They must be able to adapt to their changing environment. And so must their animals. How can we ensure livestock are more resilient in a changing world? For FAO, a key solution is the diversity of animal genetic resources, and the fair exchange and movement of these resources across the world. Today, the genetic diversity of livestock is distributed, across 40 species, in separate populations within these species called breeds, and among the animals within these breeds. But this diversity is under threat. Out of 8,900 breeds registered in FAO's Domestic Animal Diversity Information System, dad is, 2,400 are at risk of extinction, while 600 are already extinct. These numbers could be even higher, as the risk status of more than 50% of breeds is currently unknown. The genetic diversity of livestock breeds and species provides the raw material for evolution. If managed sustainably, this diversity can be used to increase production and allow livestock to adapt to challenges such as climate change, emerging diseases, and pressure on feed and water resources. But for this to happen, countries need to strengthen their efforts to implement the global plan of action for animal genetic resources. This is an internationally agreed framework that describes measures related to breed characterization and monitoring, and their sustainable use, development and conservation, as well as actions related to policies, institutions and capacity building. FAO's Intergovernmental Technical Working Group on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture is working to achieve this. The working group was established in 1997 by FAO's Commission on Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The commission is a permanent forum where 178 member countries can discuss and agree on global policies relating to the sustainable use and conservation of genetic resources for food and agriculture, and the fair and equal sharing of benefits resulting from their use. The commission oversaw the development of the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, as well as the two editions of the State of the World's Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture. The role of the working group is to review issues related to animal genetic resources and their management, to consider progress made in the implementation of the commission's programme of work, and to advise and make recommendations to the commission on all relevant matters relating to animal genetic resources. Twenty-eight countries make up the working group, with members elected at each of the commission's regular sessions. In our rapidly changing world, the diversity of animal genetic resources is going to play an increasingly critical role. Careful management of the diversity of animal genetic resources can help us address livestock challenges today and in the future, supporting livelihoods, strengthening resilience, and contributing towards food security, building a better world for us all.