Prince El Hassan bin Talal inaugurates 3rd Biosafety and Biosecurity International Conference 2011
In the presence of HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan President of El Hassan Science City and the Royal Scientific Society, HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal inaugurated today (Tuesday) the activities of the 3rd Biosafety and Biosecurity International Conference 2011, hosted by the kingdom with over 200 global experts, scientists and diplomatic organizations.
- Aguadilla-Isabela-San Sebastian, PR (1888PressRelease) September 14, 2011 - HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal, patron of the conference said in his opening speech: "The massive progress made in biotechnology and the relocation of complex research and development programs to the emerging world markets adds to the potential for untoward events, thereby creating an imperative to work collectively".
HRH Prince El Hassan bin Talal urged the participants to take measures to ensure that full access to information concerning hazardous materials producing plants are available to all interested parties, including local authorities and populations living in the areas surrounding industrial plants.
Moreover, HRH stressed on the need to subject the storage of hazardous materials and the regular inspection of installations to rigorous international standards, pointing out that high-risk plants should not be located in densely populated areas and governments should take strict measures to separate populated areas from the risk zones around industrial plants.
HRH also emphasized the need to develop monitoring systems as well as emergency plans at the national, regional and international level, including the United Nations for the safety of people.
For her part, HRH Princess Sumaya bint El Hassan welcomed the participating delegations, paying her tribute to the speakers, organizers, scientists, academics and international organizations for supporting the event, wishing them good luck and success in the upcoming conferences.
HRH Princess Sumaya praised the exceptional partnership that combined El Hassan Science City with the International Council for the Life Sciences (ICLS), making this conference a remarkable and a successful event.
HRH Princess Sumaya said: "At El Hassan Science City, we are delighted to host a conference with a mission that so closely echoes our own. Our vision is to be a beacon of leadership for scientific innovation in the Middle East and our goal is to catalyze socially oriented economic progress for meaningful improvement in peoples' lives."
The participants in the conference, taking place until Thursday evening, will discuss the risks behind using and over-exploiting biotechnology in order to come up with new strategies as well as determine the right methodologies to deal with these threats.
Entitled: "Healthier and More Secure Communities in the Middle East and North Africa", the Conference aims at identifying and mitigating the biological risks threatening the region's communities through developing comprehensive biosafety and biosecurity strategies underpinned by legislative, human and physical infrastructure in order to build healthier and more secure communities capable of facing upcoming challenges.
In addition to several diplomatic delegations and international organizations including the UNESCO, UNICEF, UNRWA, and the United Nations, the conference witnessed the participation of the Senior Biosafety Advisor to Canada's Global Partnership Program, the Director General of Foundation Merieux ,the Director of the Skoll Global Threats Fund, as well as several ambassadors, Jordanian ministers, CEO's and universities' presidents.
Throughout its sessions, the conference discusses several biosafety-related issues imposed by the environmental revolution and its implications on the infrastructure of communities. Moreover, it will include other matters such as human capacity building, policy and legal issues, environmental issues threatening human, animal and plant life, as well as national biosafety preparedness and planning.
It is worth noting that the BBIC process comprises bi annual conferences, local governance structures, technical workshops and working groups, national and regional biosafety associations, scientific advisory panels and regional biosafety training.
It should be noted that El Hassan Science City (EHSC) was founded on the belief that scientific research and application is a key mechanism for developing and retaining human resources and capital ultimately leading to the sustainable development of vibrant and productive communities in Jordan & the region.
EHSC encompasses four main constituents namely; the Royal Scientific Society (RSS), Princess Sumaya University for Technology (PSUT), and El Hassan Business Park. Governmental commitment to EHSC is demonstrated through the partnership with the Higher Council for Science and Technology (HCST).
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