The first International Technical Conference on Animal Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture adopted the Global Plan of Action for Animal Genetic Resources, the first ever international framework for the promotion of the wise management of animal genetic resources for food and agriculture, endorsed by Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations member countries. The adoption of the Global Plan of Action has created unprecedented momentum for promoting the sustainable use, development and conservation of the world's livestock diversity. This article describes the first steps that countries have taken in its implementation.