The Community Plant Variety Office (CPVO) is pleased to announce the appointment of Ms. Urquía as its new Vice President. This appointment marks a significant milestone in the CPVO's ongoing commitment to excellence in the field of plant variety protection.

Ms. Urquía brings to the role an impressive background in academia, government, and international organizations. With a career spanning twenty-six years, she has held positions of increasing responsibility, including senior roles at the Spanish Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food, and the United Nations Organization for Food and Agriculture (FAO).

Ms. Urquía holds a Ph.D. in Molecular Biology and a Master of Science in Law and Policies of the European Union. Her extensive expertise in biotechnology and intellectual property rights, combined with her leadership skills, makes her an ideal fit for the Vice President position at CPVO.

Before joining the CPVO, Ms. Urquía served as the Head of the Registry of Commercial and Protected Varieties at the Spanish Plant Variety Office. Her tenure at the FAO as a Representative in Mexico and a Senior Agricultural Officer at the organization's headquarters in Rome, Italy, highlights her strong record in resource mobilization and influence in agricultural policies.

In her new role at CPVO, Ms. Urquía is set to oversee critical projects and initiatives, furthering the CPVO's mission to foster innovation in plant varieties through effective intellectual property protection. She is committed to ensuring the CPVO's efforts are inclusive, sustainable, and aligned with the evolving needs of the agricultural sector.

In her statement, Ms. Urquía expressed her enthusiasm for the new role, "I truly believe that plant variety protection is a driving force to boost innovation in agriculture, a key element to succeed in the battle with climate change. I feel extremely grateful for the confidence deposited in me and I will work every day to deserve it.” 

The CPVO, established to administer the European Union system of plant variety rights, is dedicated to promoting innovation in plant breeding and ensuring the protection of new plant varieties. The appointment of Ms. Urquía as Vice President is expected to significantly contribute to these goals.