Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) Helping to Hold the First National Conference on Biodiversity

The national project manager for the Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP) announces the CIWP’s support for the First National Conference on Biodiversity in Iran.

‘The First National Conference on Biodiversity in Iran will be held for the first time on June 8, 2020 by the Iranian Department of Environment, the Research Center for Environment and Sustainable Development with help from the Vice-Presidency of the Country’s Organization for Maritime and Wetlands Environment, Conservation of Iranian Wetlands Project (CIWP), and other stakeholders. The conference has four main topics, including (1) understanding and introducing biodiversity, (2) protection of biodiversity, (3) sustainable utilization of biodiversity, and (4) promoting awareness, culture, and streamlining’, added Ali Arvahi.
Local and traditional knowledge is highly important for protecting biodiversity, and in the modern world, there are attempts to revive this knowledge to prevent the destruction of the valuable biodiversity of the earth, which is integral for the survival of all living creatures. Iran, with its significant biodiversity, hosts more than 8200 plant species and 1300 vertebrate species. Lack of up-to-date data on the status of biodiversity in the country, the fragmentation of relevant decisions, as well as numerous problems and threats for the country’s biodiversity necessitate holding a conference for coordinating and streamlining in pursuit of conservation objectives and sustainable utilization. Accordingly, since the direct and heavy responsibility of protecting the biodiversity of the country has been given to the Department of Environment, this organization has decided to hold the First National Conference on Biodiversity in the country in order to facilitate the conservation and promote the culture of protecting the environment. Therefore, this organization welcomes the participation of all stakeholders, supporters, and activists in the field.
Noting the importance of wetlands as one of the significant habitats for biodiversity, he added that ‘helping with holding this conference is an important step for introducing the biodiversity of wetland ecosystems, promoting public awareness and streamlining for the protection and sustainable utilization of the country’s biodiversity, as well as devising strategies for attracting the participation of local communities for protecting biodiversity’.
While announcing that participants have until March 18, 2020 to submit abstracts of their papers, Ali Arvahi listed the main topics for this conference as follows:
Submitted papers can focus on any of the following topics:
•    Biodiversity, protection in the habitat with modern approaches;
•    Biodiversity, planning the protection of species and populations;
•    Biodiversity and the importance of protecting genetic diversity;
•    Biodiversity, threats, challenges, and solutions;
•    Biodiversity, legal and international aspects, conventions and protocols;
•    Biodiversity and climate change;
•    Biodiversity, invasive and non-local species;
•    Biodiversity, security opportunities and threats;
•    Biodiversity and utilization of modern technologies (biotechnology, smart technologies, information systems, and so on);
•    Biodiversity and human health (unit health);
•    Biodiversity, sustainable agriculture and food security;
•    Biodiversity, cultural diversity, and local knowledge;
•    Biodiversity, education and informed participation;
•    Biodiversity and economic valuation;
•    Biodiversity, development and utilization;
•    Biodiversity, ecotourism, and sustainable livelihood.
For more information, you can check the website for the First National Conference on Biodiversity at http://biodiversitycongress.ir/fa/page.php?rid=43/
The poster for this conference is available here.