The training course on standardized techniques of coconut genetic resources collecting and management was held in Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Center, Santo, Vanuatu from 29 June to 9 July 1999. This training course is part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB)-funded project of IPGRl entitled "Coconut Genetic Resources Network and Human Resources Strengthening in Asia and the Pacific Region" Phase II. It is the first activity of the project "Coconut germplasm collecting, characterization and conservation in Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu". The authorities of the 4 countries have appointed four project leaders who will manage the project at the national level. A coconut breeder appointed by CIRAD and based in Vanuatu coordinates the project and trains the national project leaders. The training course focused on coconut genetic resources collecting strategy, the collecting process and the methods of descriptions of coconut varieties.