An Ecology and Biodiversity Sustainable Conservation and Academic Exchange Workshop was held in Vientiane, Laos from May 26 to June 7. The workshop was co-hosted by Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG) and the Biotechnology and Ecology Institute (BEI) of Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), with participation of over 70 experts and scholars from nearly 30 institutions and departments of China and Laos.
The purpose of the workshop is to enhance collaboration and exchange between Southeast Asia Biodiversity Research Institute (SEABRI) and BEI, providing an opportunity for BEI to gain insights into our research work in Laos and promoting further cooperation.
The workshop was composed of lectures and field investigations. In the indoor sessions, related experts presented a series of lectures concerning various fields including rice breeding, biodiversity survey and conservation, management of protected areas, virus prevention, and paleoecology, ecology, botany, mammalogy, etc.
Prof. Qian Qian, a CAS academician and deputy director of China National Rice Research Institute (CNRRI), was specially invited to deliver a keynote speech. He gave a lecture on "Hybrid Rice Breeding: From Three Lines, Two Lines to One Line".
“This workshop will provide a valuable academic exchange platform for scholars from China and Laos to jointly explore issues related to ecology and biodiversity conservation,” said Dr. Keovivone Outthachak, director of BEI.
Prof. Yang Yongping, director of XTBG and SEABRI, attended the workshop. He said that through hosting this workshop, XTBG can establish deeper cooperation with Lao scholars in a wider range of scientific research fields, jointly promote regional biodiversity conservation work, and contribute to the construction of a community with a shared future for mankind.
During his stay in Laos, Prof. Yang Yongping visited the Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry and talked with minister Linkham Douangsavanh. The minister said that he would continue to support the cooperation between the Lao BEI and XTBG and hope both sides could achieve more results in areas such as talent training, academic exchanges, scientific research, and botanical garden construction.
After two-day indoor academic lectures, the participants visited national parks, nature reserves, elephant conservation center, dryland agriculture research center, wildlife research center, etc.
The workshop is the first large-scale academic exchange event between the XTBG and BEI since they signed a memorandum of cooperation in August 2023.
CAS academician Qian Qian delivers a lecture on rice breeding.
Participants pose a group photo.
Participants conduct field studies.
Prof. Yang Yongping talks with Minister Linkham Douangsavanh of Lao Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF)
At the SEABRI office in Laos.
