Opening of the Annual Arab-Asian Biotechnology Conference at the BA
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The Bibliotheca Alexandrina opened today the Annual Arab-Asian Biotechnology Conference, organized by the Library in collaboration with the Arab Society for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the National Research Center on 5 and 6 November 2025, under the theme “Desert Biotechnology and Sustaining Life in Arid Regions.”
The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Ahmed Zayed, Director of the Bibliotheca Alexandrina; Dr. Hesham Azmy, President of the Egyptian Authority for Intellectual Property; Dr. Mahmoud Saqr, Head of the Conference and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Arab Society for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology at the National Research Center; and Dr. Nabila Abdel Maksoud, Secretary General of the Arab Society for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology; and Dr. Rasha Al-Tarawneh, Dean of the Faculty of Agricultural Technology at Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan.
The opening session was attended by Dr. Hossam Shawky, Head of the Desert Research Center; Dr. Abdel Hakim El-Waer, Assistant Director-General of the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Regional Representative of the Organization in the Near East and North Africa; and Eng. Sara El-Batouti, Member of the National Council for Women. Dr. Pallu Reddanna, President of the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA), also took part in the session with a recorded message.
Dr. Ahmed Zayed said that the Bibliotheca Alexandrina supports all fields of knowledge and the contributions of scientists, pointing out the significance of the conference topic, which highlights the importance of biotechnology in achieving the sustainability of life in arid regions, especially in the Arab and Asian worlds.
The conference aims to discuss how to sustain and adapt life in arid and semi-arid environments in the Arab region, as well as address the pressing challenges posed by climate change and food insecurity around the world.
Several scientific institutions are participating in the conference, including Benha University, Al-Ahliyya Amman University in Jordan, and the Federation of Asian Biotech Associations (FABA) in India, in collaboration with the BA Sustainable Development Studies, Youth Capacity Building, and African Relations Support Program and the Center for Special Studies and Programs (CSSP).
This year's conference will host prominent scientists, experts, and lecturers from Egypt, Sudan, Jordan, Tunisia, Germany, Sweden, the United States, Malaysia, India, China, Poland, Canada, and Bulgaria, in addition to representatives from international organizations such as the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the Egyptian Intellectual Property Authority, the National Council for Women, the Agricultural Research Center, and the Desert Research Center.