ECO Science Foundation in collaboration with Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore organizes an International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Life Sciences for Sustainable Development”

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Lahore (11 Oct 2014): The ECO Science Foundation (ECOSF) in collaboration with Forman Christian College (A Chartered University), Lahore, organized an International Conference on "Emerging Trends in Life Sciences for Sustainable Development" from October 9-11, 2014 in Lahore. The conference was co-sponsored by the European Commission-EU, COMSTECH, Pakistan Academy of Sciences and Crop Life- Pakistan.

Main Objective of the conference was to facilitate life scientists from ECO member countries for sharing their experiences and for promotion of collaboration as well as networking within the ECO Region and with the International Scientific Community.

The conference was formally opened by the veteran renowned Educationist, Industrialist and Anthropologist, H.E. Syed Baber Ali, Chancellor of Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS). In his remarks, he appreciated the initiative of ECOSF and FC College to bring the international scientists/experts to Lahore for providing a great opportunity to interact with national and international experts and science students. He hoped that the conference will open new avenues for the young scientists and students.

Earlier, Dr. Kauser A. Malik Dean of Postgraduate Studies at FC College welcomed all the distinguished guests, scientists/experts from 15 countries of the world including ECO countries viz., Republic of Azerbaijan, I.R of Iran, Republic of Kazakhstan, I.R of Pakistan (host), Republic of Tajikistan, Republic of Turkey and Republic of Uzbekistan. The Deputy Secretary General of ECO H.E. Mr. Hayri Maraslioglu, Dr. Asghar Mohammadi Fazel- President of ECO Institute of Environmental Sciences (ECO-IEST), and Prof. Dr. Selahattin Turan President ECO Educational Institute, Dr. Marie-Francoise SARON- a Bio-safety expert of European Union were also among the distinguished guests.

President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro, in his remarks, thanked all the national and international participants for joining the 3-day conference. The President ECOSF also thanked European Union, COMSTECH, Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS), ICLS and others for co-sponsoring the conference. Prof. Soomro conveyed special thanks to the Management of FC College and the Team of Biologists led by Dr. Kauser A. Malik for hosting the conference. Prof. Soomro briefly intoduced ECO Science Foundation, its achievements, aims and objectives, on-going and future plans. He also hoped that the conference will be a catalyst in nurturing collaboration among Bioscientists from the ECO Member States and scientific community from the developed world for a better tomorrow with particular reference to capacities and capabilities of scientists and institutions so that in collaboration, the peace and collective future could be safeguarded for sustainable development.

On second day of the conference (10 October 2014), an exclusive meeting with participants from ECO countries and the Deputy Secretary General ECO and Presidents of ECO Educational Institute and ECO Institute of Environmental Science and Technology (ECO-IEST) and the European Union was held under the umbrella of ECOSF. The participants discussed at length the issues pertaining to biosafety and biosecurity and future actions; following decisions/conclusions were arrived at:

• To use regional training center in Dushanbe-Tajikistan for training of participants from ECO member countries.
• To have a list of potential participants to participate in next meeting of Biosafety Association of Central Asia and Caucasus (BACAC) for consideration of DEVCO support.
• There is a need to organize brainstorming workshops on bio-safety for assessing Pakistan’s needs, define strategy and tools including public outreach and journalists' awareness.
• Preferably, organize a training workshop on Science Diplomacy for bio-risk mitigation; also to support Iranian specialists.
• Make efforts to support attendees to the Iran Tehran Conference on Biotechnology/BSS 2015.
• ECOSF may keep liaison with ISTC Astana- Kazakhstan.
• ECO BioSA (ECO Bio Safety Association) may be formulated under the aegis of ECOSF for collaboration among the Bio-Safety stakeholders and other relevant associations of ECO region.
• ECOSF, ECO-IEST and ECO Educational Institute may work together on capacity building, awareness on various relevant matters.

During the three day conference, more than seventy scientific presentations were made focusing on food safety & security, sustainable development, biosafety and biosecurity, health care and nutrition. As a result of various discussions and deliberations, it was agreed to form different networks of scientists to facilitate collaborations among different countries.

One full session was dedicated to the important areas of biosafety and biosecurity. It has been proposed to develop a Centre of Excellence in Biosafety at FCC to be supported by relevant institutions and organizations.

In addition, a network on structural biology has been proposed comprising of HEJ/ICCBS (Karachi), NIBGE (Faisalabad) and FC College (Lahore). This may be sponsored by Pakistan Academy of Sciences (PAS) and prepare the scientific community for synchrotron facilities, already established at CERN and to be established in Jordan, for which Pakistan is one of the founding members.

The conference also focused on human genetic disorders and a recommendation was made to initiate a collaborative project with Japan on autism. The entire conference was available to the globe via Live Stream, links to which were shared social media platforms. The progress of conference was also shared via Twitter throughout the conference.

On the final day, a detailed presentation was made by the President ECO-IEST Dr. Asghar Mohammadi Fazel on environmental issues faced by the ECO region and rest of the World. Subsequently, a panel discussion was held on biodiversity management and conservation and ecosystem services, wherein the DSG ECO, President ECO Educational Institute, Vice President of UNESCO-MAB Programme for Asia Pacific Region, Dr. Roman Jashecko and Dr. Efrem Ferrari from EvK2CNY Italy also joined and agreed to initiate a programme for ECO Region.

The conference was concluded on the hope that the experiences and expertise shared by the speakers and networking created during the conference will open new avenues for the young scientists and that the future would be safe and secure for the coming generations. The interest of audience was remarkable throughout all three days.

At the end, President ECOSF Prof. Dr. Manzoor H. Soomro presented a Memento of conference to the management of FC College in recognition for hosting a beautiful and memorable conference at FC College Lahore.