Wednesday, August 3, 2011

Expanding scientific expertise for implementation of Strategic Plan for Biodiversity 2011-2020

Montreal, 3 August 2011– The Consortium of Scientific Partners to the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) continues to grow with the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding between Agropolis International and the Convention Secretariat. Agropolis International thus becomes the eighteenth member of the Consortium.

Founded in 1986 and based in Montpellier, France, Agropolis International gathers skills and expertise in the fields of agriculture, food, biodiversity and environment, with a focus on the development of Mediterranean and tropical regions. It also gathers a large range of stakeholders and partners involved in economic development.

Bernard Hubert, President of Agropolis International, said: “Agropolis International is pleased to become a member of the Consortium of Scientific Partners to the CBD and is honoured to join such a prestigious panel of scientific organizations. Gathering more than 600 scientists from numerous disciplines, all working on biodiversity related issues in different higher education and research bodies, Agropolis International can contribute to the Consortium by favouring multidisciplinary standpoints and contributions, especially those concerning interactions between biodiversity, agricultural activities and food and health issues. Such challenges seem to be at stake in our world when one considers the necessity of properly feeding (with regards to quantity, safety, diversity and quality) an increasing global human population as well as maintaining a functioning earth based on a diversity of landscapes, ecosystems and animal and plant populations. We are very happy to participate in international debates regarding such critical issues.”

Ahmed Djoghlaf, Executive Secretary of the Convention on Biological Diversity, said: “We at the CBD are very excited to see an increasing interest from respected scientific institutions to join the Consortium of Scientific Partners in support of biodiversity. Agropolis International, with its impressive track record of scientific cooperation within the Mediterranean and tropical regions, will no doubt contribute significantly to our efforts.”

No comments:

Post a Comment