Biodiversity key to sustainability
MUSCAT: The Geno Business Forum on Tuesday began with participation of 100 experts, academics, lecturers and entrepreneurs, specialising in animal and plant genetic resources, marine organisms, microorganisms, agriculture, livestock and fisheries from the Sultanate and outside.
The forum is organised by Oman Animal and Plant Genetic Resources Centre (OAPGRC) of The Research Council (TRC) and with the technical support of the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations (UN) as the first event of its kind at the regional level.
Dr Fuad bin Jaafar al Sajwani, Minister of Agriculture and Fisheries, said that the Sultanate enjoys a great biodiversity due to the geographical diversity and extension of the Sultanate from north to south, as well as climate diversity, which helps to diversify food production, whether in the wild or marine environment, as well as the production of pharmaceuticals.
Dr Nadia bint Abu Bakr al Saadyiah, OAPGRC Executive Director, said, “Geno Business Forum has been designed to have a long-term impact on how to think about the business sector, the public sector, the growing business community in the Sultanate’s genetic resources, and how to benefit from them in a sustainable manner.”
The two-day forum aims to raise public and private awareness in the Sultanate’s growing business community about the importance of diverse genetic resources in the Sultanate and to promote the sustainable utilisation of genetic resources in order to diversify the Omani economy.
It also aims at bringing together local and international experts to discuss and share the opportunities provided by the sustainable exploitation and conservation of genetic resources through sharing tools and methodologies on how to do so.
The forum includes sessions on various topics, such as Oman’s unique and diverse natural group of flora, fauna, microbes and marine species, as well as other topics on organic waste, circular economics, natural cosmetics market and green life.
The opening of the forum included screening of a documentary about the economic benefits of biodiversity and the launch of Nawa product, which includes a wide range of skin and body care products derived from Omani frankincense, with collaboration between OAPGRC and Al Asila Integrated Projects Company.