Taiwan hosts Asia-Pacific agricultural meeting

Publication Date：10/27/2011•Source： Taiwan Today The two-day 2011 Expert Consultation Meeting of the Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Research Institutions kicked off Oct. 27 at the Taiwan Agricultural Research Institute, according to event organizer the Council of Agriculture. Under the topic of "Agricultural Biotechnology, Biosafety and Biosecurity," the year's meeting is focused on leveraging technologies to increase agricultural productivity and secure food supplies in a world faced with the possibility of drastic climate change, COA officials said. More than 80 representatives from government, academia and the private sector from 25 countries are attending the meeting, the COA said. The council noted that the APAARI is an important organization dedicated to promoting cross-border partnerships for food safety and natural resources preservation in the Asia-Pacific region and that it has worked closely with the Food and Agricultural Organization of the United Nations on various research projects. Members in the 19-nation association include Australia, Bangladesh, India, Japan, South Korea, Taiwan and Thailand. Taiwan has been a member of the association since 1999. Susan Chang, director-general of the COA Department of International Affairs, was elected a member of the Executive Committee in 2009. The council said the designation marks international recognition of Taiwan's agricultural and biotechnological development. Prior to the Expert Consultation Meeting, APAARI Vice Chairman Mason Smith from Fiji presided over the Executive Committee Meeting Oct. 26 to discuss the organization's future initiatives and programs. (HZW)