FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
Second International Conference on
BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA: SCIENCE AND REGULATION
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Extended to August 2013
In May 2011 the “International Conference on Biotechnology: Fostering Innovation” in Africa was held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. The conference focused on the importance of building capacity in biotechnology. The 2013 conference will review trends in regulation of agricultural biotechnology worldwide, with a focus on trends in Africa. The theme of the conference was inspired by the need to ensure that biotechnology regulations in Africa are guided by the need to maximize the benefits of the technology and to minimize its risks. This approach requires that regulations are adopted based on an understanding of the best available scientific and technological knowledge relating to advances in biotechnology. The conference will serve as a forum for sharing knowledge and experiences on: (a) state of the knowledge on international biotechnology and agriculture research; (b) biotechnology and agriculture research in Africa; and (c) regulations on biotechnology in Africa and elsewhere.
Foster technological transfer in Africa, initiate and facilitate scholars and scientist exchange and short term trainings program - between African scientists and the rest of the world, and to create a platform for agricultural dialogue and partnership between Sub- Saharan universities/ institutes and US universities /institutes; and to provide policy advice aimed at supporting policy and institutional reforms at the national and regional levels.
PREVIOUS SPONSORS
- The Technical Centre for Agricultural and Rural Co-operation ACP-EU (CTA)
- Syngenta
- The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA)
- International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB)
- Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
- United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)
- Pioneer Hi-Bred International, a DuPont business