The IDEFOR/DPO Marc Delorme Station has a very important coconut germplasm collection, one of the most important for the world today. The size and geographic diversity of its ecotypes render the Marc Delorme collection a suitable material for studying genetic diversity in the species Cocos nucifera. Several methods are used for assessing the genetic variability within and between the ecotypes. This collection is so far conserved in field; the cryopreservation of zygotic embryos will very soon be a complementary method. The ecotypes of this germplasm are used in a very important breeding programme which gave some excellent results; this allowed the Marc Delorme Station to play a key role in providing outstanding planting material to Research and Development Programs in Africa and several countries of the world. The international impact of this germplasm is recognised by the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) which chose it as the regional germplasm for Africa; with this opportunity, the other Coconut Research and Development Centres could take advantage of the results achieved at the Marc Delorme Station.