International conference on biodiversity
With over 1,600 participants per day, the International Conference on Biodiversity held earlier this year at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO, on France's initiative, was the place to be for any scientist and actor interested in knowing where...
With over 1,600 participants per day, the International Conference on Biodiversity held earlier this year at the Paris headquarters of UNESCO, on France's initiative, was the place to be for any scientist and actor interested in knowing where scientific research on biodiversity has reached world wide and in participating in the scientific discussion on the urgent needs of biodiversity research, knowledge and conservation of the world's natural resources.
This scientific conference was found to be necessary since biodiversity is a natural heritage and a vital resource for all humankind, but it is being destroyed irreversibly by human activities. Toward this situation a major effort is needed to discover, understand, conserve and carefully use biodiversity.
Dr Adriana Vella, conservation biologist at the University of Malta and co-ordinator of the Malta National Biodiversity Platform, was invited to participate in this conference and workshops. Dr Adriana Vella presented a paper on using molecular genetics to assess populations and habitat viability of the Maltese Islands.
Dr Vella looks forward to seeing local conservation biology research given the financial backing it deserves especially because of the local biodiversity conservation needs. Advancing our national scientific capabilities demands national investment in our youths and our scientists' research projects. Our depleting biodiversity also demands our urgent consideration toward improving our capabilities to deal with biodiversity conservation effectively.