Biodiversity today is the result of 3.5 billions of years of evolution and existence. Its intrinsic value is important for a variety of reasons from healthcare to food production. The loss of biodiversity is significant, prompting the global call for biodiversity conservation and sustainable use of biological resources particularly in countries which are rich in biodiversity.

Malaysia is one of the 12 mega-diverse countries in the world. Together they account for 60-70 per cent of the world's biodiversity. Biodiversity contributes to the genetic and chemical diversity that support research and development (R&D) in biotechnology.

Biotechnology has been proven to be a powerful tool for building knowledge, unraveling discoveries and creation of new and better applications. It has developed into a major industry that is set to be the catalyst for next wave of economic development.

Malaysia's biotechnology ambition is well supported by the government raising biotech research and industry to the top of the political and economic agenda of the country. There is ample funding to promote commercialization of biotech and fostering of faborable environment for the development of the industry. However, achieving the goals and success is not without its challenges and issues; from the need to address legal framework for access to biological resources, equitable shraing of benefits, capable workforce and expertise to getting the right strategies for R&D.

For more information and registration, please click here.