National Institute of Biological Resources (NIBR) will conduct a training session on biodiversity for eight public officials from four countries, Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam, in Southeast Asia from March 30 to April 5.

NIBR is carrying out joint research projects with Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam in Indochina, all of which are known to have a rich biodiversity. Also, it has conducted joint research with 14 countries in Asia, Africa and South America, including Mongolia, China, Russia and Japan that have similar biota.

The training session will consist of theoretical instruction on research, conservation and utilization of various organism, including fauna, flora and fungus, and practicum on collecting, making and managing specimen.

NIBR will introduce facility and equipment for systematic management of biological resources and offer practice on manufacturing stuffed-specimen. In addition, it will provide theory education on flora classification, mushroom classification and specimen-making at Seoul National University, Hallym University and Kangwon National University. 

“The practicum on making specimen of various taxonomic groups is highly useful for conserving biodiversity and utilizing biological resources in Myanmar,” said Myint Soe, a public official from the Ministry of Environmental Conservation and Forestry of Myanmar, hoping that more officials can receive the training in the future. 

President Kim Sang-bae of NIBR said that the HR training project with partner countries aims to build capacity for biological resources conservation in their countries, which will enhance mutual cooperation.

NIBR expects that the training for Southeast Asian officials will serve as a foundation for addressing the loss of biodiversity that the international community is faced with. Southeast Asian countries have a rich biodiversity and lack skilled manpower for systematic management of biological resources. The ecosystem of the region is exposed to threats due to development activities and slash-and-burn farming, so Southeast Asian countries have asked for Korea to help nurture experts on biological resources.

At such request, NIBR has offered training sessions on biological conservation to public servants from partner countries since 2009. To date, a total of 43 officials in charge of biodiversity conservation from Cambodia (21), Myanmar (7), Laos (7), Vietnam (5) and Tanzania (3) received the training.