South Korea broadens biodiversity research ties with four ASEAN nations

The National Institute of Biological Resources, under the Ministry of Climate, Environment and Energy, said it is running the 15th Overseas Biodiversity Workforce Training Program from Monday through Friday.

Since 2009, the institute has offered biodiversity workforce training for civil servants and researchers from partner countries to strengthen developing nations' conservation capacity and broaden the foundation for international cooperation.

To date, 181 participants from 13 countries have completed the program, contributing to the sharing of biodiversity conservation and management technology and the building of cross-border cooperation networks.

This year's program focuses on extending the institute's accumulated experience and achievements to ASEAN partner countries and reinforcing the groundwork for substantive joint research. Nine civil servants and researchers in the biodiversity field from four ASEAN nations — Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and the Philippines — are taking part.

Participants will visit the National Institute of Biological Resources, Seoul Botanic Park and the Hantangang World Geopark, where they will examine biodiversity inventory development, specimen repositories and wildlife biobanks, and explore genomic analysis and bioinformatics techniques. They will also discuss each country's research needs and areas for cooperation to identify future joint research topics.

Through the program, the institute plans to expand joint research and technology exchange that reflects partner countries' policy and research needs, and to strengthen its leading role in international biodiversity conservation cooperation.

"Biodiversity is a shared asset of humanity and a vital foundation for future national competitiveness — international solidarity and cooperation to protect it are not optional but essential," said Yoo Ho, director of the National Institute of Biological Resources. "We will continue to actively share the institute's accumulated capabilities in biological resource management and research with the international community, and expand joint research between nations to contribute to the conservation of global biodiversity and a sustainable future."