Historic Bio Conference commences - Guyanese urged to take full advantage

Historic Bio Conference commences
- Guyanese urged to take full advantage
Kaieteur News, 25 September 2007

The historic two-day International Conference on the Status of
Biological Sciences in Caribbean and Latin American Societies commenced
yesterday at the Buddy's International Hotel, Providence, featuring
internationally acclaimed biologists from around the world and from the
local university.

Dr. Mohammed Saquib, Head of the Biology Department of the University
of Guyana and Organizing Chair of proceedings, said that the event
provides Guyana with the opportunity to discuss and reassess the
diverse activities in biological sciences in our sub-region.

He stated that as economies and societies worldwide wrestle with
sustainable development in the context of limited natural resources and
harsh international economic conditions, the role of developments in
the biological sciences need constant assessment and re-evaluation.

Further, Saquib stated that as a small developing country, Guyana has
rich but relatively underdeveloped natural resources, along with an
astounding biodiversity worthy of international attention.

“We hope that this conference will serve as a stimulating forum for
fruitful deliberations, intellectual challenges and exposure to the
biological sciences as well as the technological and industrial
activities in Guyana , deriving from biodiversity and biological
innovations,” he said.

Additionally, the conference, which ends today, will seek to address
key thematic areas and generate discussions and networking thereafter.

Saquib said that the University of Guyana will seek to use this
opportunity to establish international linkages for mutually rewarding
research collaborations to facilitate Guyana 's competitiveness in the
new bio-economy.

Personnel from biology labs from across the world, including countries
like Belgium , the United States , Canada , and Trinidad and Tobago ,
along with several other countries, are represented at the conference.

In a statement issued by President Bharrat Jagdeo, delivered by Prime
Minster Samuel Hinds, it was noted that understanding the status of
biological sciences is most necessary for conservation and sustainable
utilization of the region's rich biological diversity.

In the statement, the president appeals to the scientific community and
all disciplines in the University of Guyana to take full advantage of
the historic international conference and to develop strong links with
visiting participants and their institutions.

It was highlighted that Guyana has made available to the international
community approximately one million acres of untouched tropical
rainforest to serve as a living laboratory for scientific approaches to
sustainable forest management.

Also, it was mentioned at the conference's opening ceremony yesterday
that Guyana's natural ecosystems are under great pressure from the
impact of advanced technologies used in development activities
producing a wide range of goods and services.

“We are challenged therefore to better understand the science of our
ecosystem diversity and species diversity, in order to provide the
necessary guidelines for development activities which impact negatively
on the integrity of our biodiversity.”

Moreover, it was stated that Guyana and the region as a whole must keep
abreast with the rapid advances globally in Biological Sciences.

Topics covered in yesterday's symposium included an in-depth paper
presentation on environmental science along with overviews of other
related topics.

The activities will continue through to today where it is expected to
feature other paper presentations on biodiversity and Natural Resource
Management, along with a plenary session.

(Alex Holder)