Institute Commemorates Rio Agreement, Displays Preserved Species

Addis Ababa May 22/2018 Ethiopia has done much in protecting biodiversity after the signing of the Rio Agreement in 1992, according to Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute. The institute has been diversifying efforts to improve the ecological system and conserving biodiversity during the period. In a press statement he gave today, Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute Director-General Melese Maryo said the institute is expanding its involvement and outreach from conserving crops and horticulture to animals, forests as well as a range of biodiversity and microbes. The Director-General added that the institute has undergone a long way to expand its gene bank in the form of a laboratory and on field gene banks. It has opened a duplicate gene bank at Fiche town. According to Melese, over 81,000 different genes, of which 900 coffee species and more than 900 microbes are preserved in gene banks. To commemorate the signing of the Rio Agreement, the institute has launched a number of events including symposium, exhibitions and bazaars. The events are aimed at enhancing awareness on the role of biodiversity in bringing sustainable development and displaying the close interconnection between biodiversity and number of development sectors, it was learned. It is to be recalled that some 108 heads of state and government from around the globe have adopted three major agreements to improve natural conservation during the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.