The National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR, President Seo Min-hwan), under the Ministry of Environment, announced that it will hold the 13th International Symposium on Biodiversity on May 24 at COEX (located in Gangnam-gu, Seoul) under the theme of International Joint Research for Biodiversity Conservation and Utilization.

This year’s 13th event will be attended by more than 150 people, including high-ranking officials from seven countries, including Cambodia, Myanmar, Vietnam, Mongolia, the Philippines, Ecuador, and Georgia, as well as domestic and international academic societies, research institutions, and government officials related to biodiversity.

The event will share the achievements of international cooperation projects to date along with the biodiversity conservation efforts of participating countries. In addition, it will introduce South Korea’s expanding international cooperation projects on biodiversity in accordance with the ‘5th National Biodiversity Strategy (2024-2028)’* finalized at the end of last year. Furthermore, various opinions on the healthy utilization of biodiversity, including the discovery of underutilized new materials, will be discussed.

*  The cross-ministerial top-level plan for promoting the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, spanning five years, was approved at the State Council meeting on December 12, 2023.

Since its opening in 2007, the NIBR has been engaged in international cooperation projects for biodiversity conservation with 10 partner countries including Cambodia and Mongolia over the past 17 years. Also, in pursuit of sustainable utilization of biological resources, it has registered 32 joint patents, including the discovery of hair loss prevention components from extracts of Cambodian wild plants called ‘Connarus Semidecandrus,’* and has conducted technology transfers, sharing benefits with partner countries throughout the process.

* Medicinal plants found in Cambodia, Laos, and other regions known for their anti-allergic and antipyretic effects

President Seo Min-hwan stated, “This event will serve as a catalyst for shared awareness of the importance of global biodiversity conservation among partner countries and accelerate international benefit sharing through the industrialization of biological resources.”

For further information, please contact the Public Relations Division. 

Contact person: Gina Lee, foreign media spokesperson

Phone: +82-44-201-6055

Email: gcjgina @gmail.com