By Mary Mwendwa
A highly ranked plant science congress was officially launched today in Nairobi, at National Museums of Kenya.
AETFAT (Association for the Taxonomic Study of the Flora of Tropical Africa ) Congress is expected to be held in Nairobi May 2017 where over 500 plant scientists from all over the world will gather and share botanical knowledge .
Speaking during the launch which was attended by experts from academia, life .media, corporates and other institutions with interest in life.Dr.Geoffrey Mwachala, Director of National Repository and Research and chair of committee,National Museums of Kenya (NMK) who talked on behalf of Director General NMK said ,”This historic congress that will be held in Kenya for the first time will be co-hosted by National Museums of Kenya and University of Nairobi from 15th -19th May 2017.
“We are calling upon public, Non- governmental and corporate institutions to participate by partnering with us in specific areas in this rare and exciting scientific congress. This event will have plenary sessions by distinguished botanists, symposia, and tours to interesting plant sites.”
Dr.Mwachala further noted how significant such a congress will be a boost to Kenya as a nation.”Kenya will stand out as a leader in Botany in Africa and also this will provide a platform for Kenyan institutions and scientists to showcase their work. Institutions of higher learning will also have a chance to share their research work, tourism, commerce, and industry are also some of the sectors that will benefit largely.
Professor Jack Nandi, Board Director, National Museums of Kenya who was the chief guest at the launch expressed his pleasure to preside over the launch and said the AETFAT main goal is to bring together scholars studying plants thus contributing to research and education in botany as well as biodiversity conservation in the continent.
“ AETFAT helps us build capacity in plant taxonomy for use in conservation, as well as provide data in monitoring traffic in plant species in an effort to mitigate for illegal trade.AETFAT membership currently is of over 1000 plant scientists drawn all over the world brought together to share interests in plants of tropical Africa.It, therefore, promotes global cooperation to advance its science and nurture upcoming researchers in the discipline.”Prof.Nandi said.
Prof.Nandi further said that issues discussed in the conference are not only to advance knowledge and education in plant and fungal research but will also weave into applications in contemporary scientific issues.”We have some emerging issues like trends in biodiversity, climate change, land use and planning, devolution and resource mapping and illegal trade in plants, all of which would trickle in count evolution and the national economy.This congress is therefore historical and we are honored to host it, enhancing Kenya as a tourist destination and Nairobi as the African Capital of Conferencing. I urge all institutions and other people in business to support this noble project and accord to the National Museums of Kenya and University of Nairobi as well as organizing committee to make this congress a success.”He concluded.
Dr. Samuel Kiboi who delivered a speech on behalf of University of Nairobi Vice chancellor , Prof. Peter Mbithi , said the university was pleased to co-host the congress together with NMK.”We recognize the diversity of plant life which is large and the fact that we have over 7000 species of plants documented. We, therefore, need to promote development that will not destroy our environment.”
Julius Kiriga, Member organizing Committee, NMK pointed out stakeholders who would be of interest to partner in this congress.”Partners from policy, academia, conservation, general suppliers, Philanthropists/individual, corporate and service providers to science are welcome to provide any kind of support to this great event.We expect around 500 participants who will be tapping into knowledge and therefore we need support to be able to work within estimated budget of 34,830,000 ksh. Areas of support include; item sponsorship, support in kind, third party, exhibition space, congress partner and corporate sponsorship.”
The last AETFAT congress was last held 2014 in South Africa where Kenya won the bid to hosts such a scientific conference for the first time against Ghana and Cote d’lvoire. AETFAT was founded in 1950 and held its first meeting in Brussels , Belgium.The association organizes congress very three years.
More about the congress : http://www.aetfat2017.museums.or.ke/
