A Symposium was held on 13th Feb 2015 at UNESCO, to showcase that the Science and Technology significantly contributed in achieving the Millennium Development Goals (MDG). The Symposium was organised by the Govt. of India in association with UNESCO Paris, where in panel comprising of Irina Bokova, DG, ADG Sciences, Ms. Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador & Permanent Representative of India to UNESCO, and leading biotechnologist from India Prof. K.VijayRagavan, Dr. Dinakar M Salunke, Executive Director RCB, and Dr. Satyajit Rath discussed the promising applications of Biotechnology towards sustainable development and the need to develop capacity in Science, Technology & Innovation.
Both Irina Bokova and Ruchira Kamboj, Ambassador and Permanent Delegate to UNESCO, stressed the importance of biotechnology and sustainable solutions for eradicating poverty, hunger through increased crop yields, and combating debilitating diseases. The Director General remarked that the Category 2 Centre namely "Regional Centre for Biotechnology" has significant role to play in embodying the soft power of UNESCO in bringing synergy, role of the government, civil society and researchers in biotechnology... joining education, training and research.
Prof. K. VijayRaghavan, Secretary, Department of Biotechnology of the Govt. of India, shared with the delegates on wire outlining India's strategy to strengthen the role of biotechnology to meet challenges related to health and agriculture. He also emphasised the government's commitment and foresight in flourishing any technology.
Dr. Dinakar Salunke, Executive Director, Regional Centre for Biotechnology while detailing the education, training and research activities shared advances and future plans with the international delegates gathered during the event. Panel consisting of eminent biotechnologist, Prof. Rath, Prof. Mauro Giacca and Prof. Jacques Elion deliberated on the theme of the symposium in-depth which received attention of more than 100 delegates from the region witnessed during the occassion. Flavia Schlegel, Assistant Director General for Natural Sciences gave away the symposium's concluding remarks highlighting the theme of symposium.
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