In 1983, FAO and UNEP created an Expert Panel of 36 eminent scientists to advise on Animal Genetic Resources Conservation and Manage-ment. The first meeting was held in Rome in October 1983, at which work in progress was evaluated, and recommendations made for the next few years. The meeting addressed 4 topics: i) Conservation by management; ii) Animal genetic resources data banks, iii) Training methods in animal genetic resources, and iV) Cryogenic storage of germplasm and genetic engineering. The Proceedings provide an overview of the work currently in progress and visualized for the near future.