ISSD

FIRST ANNOUNCEMENT OF THE
Second International Conference on

BIOTECHNOLOGY IN AFRICA: SCIENCE AND REGULATION

Organizing Partners

The African Union (AU)
The Economic Commission for Africa (ECA)
Forum for Agricultural Research in Africa (FARA)
African Academy of Sciences (AAS)
Regional Universities Forum for Capacity Building in Agriculture (RUFORUM)
Association for Advancement of Agricultural Research in Eastern and Central Africa (ASARECA)
NEPAD Agency African Biosafety Network of Expertise (ABNE)
Institute for Science and Sustainable Development (ISSD) - secretariat
Science, Technology and Globalization Project, Harvard Kennedy School, USA
Government of Ethiopia

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
May 2013

Goal Statement

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,

Objectives

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.

Participants

There will be several categories of participants at the conference which include:
(a) researchers;
(b) policy makers;
(c) regulators;
(d) technology developers;
(e) private sector,
(f) farmers’ organization and other biotechnology stakeholders.
Presentations at the conference will be based on a call for papers which will be reviewed by a committee of experts. The timetable for submission of abstracts, selection of papers and submission of written papers in advance of the conference will be provided.

African Biotechnology Prizes

The conference organizers will present two African Biotechnology Prizes. The first prize will be awarded to an individual or institution that has made significant contributions to advancing biotechnology research of relevance to Africa. The second prize will honor an individual or institution that has excelled in advancing the adoption of legislation that maximizes the benefits of biotechnology while minimizing its risks. A timeline for the nomination and review of candidates for the prizes will be provided. A selection committee will review nominations and select the winners to be announced during the conference. The winners will receive a certificate of recognition.

Sponsorship

Depending on financial resources, some participants whose papers have been peer-reviewed and accepted for presentation will be sponsored in terms of flight costs (economy) and full boarding.

Details of keynote speakers, date and venue in Addis Ababa will be communicated in the second announcement.

For more information and enquiries connected with this announcement please get in touch with Abay /Ezra Yimere
Email: This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
Tel +251 912 375 009