Biotech Stakeholders Gather to Celebrate Africa Biotechnology Gains at ABBC2021

Calls for enhanced scientific collaboration, government/political goodwill and development of public-private partnerships in the biotechnology sector took center stage as biotech stakeholders gathered at this year's Africa Biennial Biosciences Communication (ABBC2021) symposium. Africa's biotechnology sector, the stakeholders opined, is poised to develop faster if all involved parties cooperated in their concerted efforts to address challenges that affect the sector.

In his opening remarks, Prof Aggrey Ambali, who is the Head of Science, Technology and Innovation Hub at the Africa Union Development Agency- of New Partnership for Africa's Development (AUDA-NEPAD), noted that in order to take advantage of biotechnology's growth and development, African countries need to reflect on their successes and consolidate the lessons needed to inspire and propel the continent forward. "This can be achieved by bringing stakeholders together, a role that ABBC has been playing since its initiation in 2015. It is also commendable that ABBC provides an African-based and African-led platform, the first of its kind in the region to focus primarily on the fundamental role that communication plays in building trust and confidence in modern biotechnology and bio-innovations in general," he asserted. This, he noted, will contribute to changing the narrative from one of debates to dialogue and implementation. Prof Ambali further alluded to the numerous developments that modern technologies continue to present, indicating AUDA-NEPAD support and appreciation of researchers' efforts in introducing innovations in Africa agriculture. For more on ABBC2021 symposium contact: Dr Margaret Karembu, Co-convener at mkarembu@isaaa.org.

See https://www.isaaa.org/kc/cropbiotechupdate/article/default.asp?ID=19028