from left: Prof. Carmelo Monaco (Director of the University of Catania), Prof. David Mifsud, (Co-ordinator of the Biodiversity Congress) and Professor Joseph Cacciottolo (Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of Malta)
The 4th International Congress on Biodiversity, 'Man, Natural Habitats and Euro-Mediterranean Biodiversity', was held in Malta last November.
The Congress provided a great opportunity for scientific debate among university researchers, students, scholars, members of scientific and environmental associations, environmental NGOs, Government agencies and environmental authorities, managers of protected areas and those involved in environmental education and management to meet and discuss a number of topics on biodiversity—a truly unique experience for the 113 delegates present at the Congress.
Prof. David Mifsud, an academic member of staff at the Institute of Earth Systems, coordinated this prestigious event. The Congress on Biodiversity was hosted by the Entomological Society of Malta (ESM), an NGO dealing mainly with the study of insects and related organisms.
HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca, President of Malta delivered the Opening Speech on the first day of the Congress. Professor Joseph Cacciottolo, Pro-Rector for Academic Affairs at the University of Malta, was also present at the event.
During his address, Professor Cacciottolo said that it was a pleasure for him to be invited and be among scientists working at the cutting-edge of scientific endeavour. Prof. Cacciottolo congratulated the organisers and the scientific committee for putting together such a rich palette of topics which he referred to as 'a testimony to the wonderfully broad and varied tapestry of the biological sciences, woven by a large number of specialists in their field.'
Prof. Cacciottolo continued that the Congress was an honour to the University of Malta and the topics discussed would greatly enrich academic programmes in Mediterranean studies at the University. 'The University of Malta has been running a taught Master’s programme in Mediterranean studies for the past four years, and supports research masters’ programmes, also in Mediterranean studies. Both programmes are mainly concerned with the arts and humanities, however both could be enriched by inputs from the biological and physical sciences,' he stated.
HE Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca commended the Entomological Society of Malta and, in particular, Prof. David Mifsud for his dedication and passion for the subject. During the Opening Speech, The President spoke on the importance of achieving sustainable development and encouraged the Congress participants to ensure that sustainable development remains high on a nation's agenda. She emphasised 'the long but necessary process of developing a new mentality, rooted in the principles of sustainability, and empowered by a cultural shift towards true equality.'
The topics discussed during the Congress focussed on plant and animal biodiversity; the ecology of terrestrial, freshwater and marine ecosystems; protected areas and their management; invasive alien species and their impact on indigenous biodiversity; as well as the involvement of the civil society for a sustainable use of natural resources. The proceedings, which have been published in the 'Bulletin of the Entomological Society of Malta Vol 9' are .
See the photos, taken on each day of the event; these are available on the and on the Entomological Society of Malta Facebook page:
Read more about the 4th International Congress on Biodiversity, as reported on local media:
- [MT]
TVM - Saturday 18 November 2017
Times of Malta Online - Sunday 26 November 2017
Times of Malta Online - Sunday 17 December 2017
