English
РусскийAllocution of the Academician GHEORGHE DUCA
President of the Academy of Sciences of Moldova at the International Scientific Symposium
“Conservation of Plant Diversity”
22-24.05.2014, Chişinău Honourable audience!
Biodiversity Conservation, Climate Change and Poverty Reduction were recognized, in 1992 at the United Nations Conference on Environment and Development in Rio de Janeiro, as pillars of the Sustainable Development of the human society. At the same time, these areas were identified as priority concerns of the global scientific community. The Republic of Moldova, ratifying that Convention (on Biological Diversity, Climate Change), has committed itself at international level to stop biodiversity degradation and has taken adequate measures of development of the regulatory and institutional framework, intensification of the scientific research in this field. Environmental protection is a priority for the socio-economic development of the Republic of Moldova and is reflected in the policies of the country regarding the accession to the European Union.
The adoption in 2004 of the Code on Science and Innovation of the RM and then of the strategies for Research and Development of the Scientific Research Institutions influenced the studies meant to promote scientific research by making ambitious programs and projects in order to achieve new knowledge on biological diversity, and to use this knowledge to solve socio-economic problems of the country. Application of the principle of contest and attracting young people in the research and innovation process, improvement of the quality of scientific research by using advanced equipment and modern methods, intensification of the collaboration at national level and with the international scientific centres represent the best achievements in the recent years. These tools and mechanisms of increasing the research efficiency are at a new stage of completing according to the new requirements and circumstances, by promoting changes in the respective Code, elaboration of a new strategy for Research and Development in the Republic of Moldova.
It is gratifying the fact that the organization of the Symposium is carried out with the active participation of the Educational-Scientific Cluster „UniverSence”. The common activities of the research institutions and the University of ASM bring their beneficial contribution to the efficient training of young people, future researchers in various fields, who, we hope, will contribute in the future to the development of the Republic of Moldova.
The free exchange of information by using the „Clearing-House Mechanism” and the collaboration at national and international level is a primary requirement in the efficient integration and cooperation in the process of conservation of biodiversity. The International Scientific Symposium „Conservation of Plant Diversity”, which today is at its third edition, is also dedicated to this goal.
In this context, the tasks of the research institutes of the ASM, the goals of the Ministry of Environment, Moldsilva Agency etc. develop and diversify, with the tendency to contribute the most efficiently to the salvation of the planet’s natural heritage.
The academy of Sciences, including the Botanical Garden, the respective chairs of our universities contribute to the enrichment of the knowledge on the plant world, to the development of theoretical bases regarding the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity, ecological restoration of degraded habitats, protection of rare species, database creation and implementation of a management system based on the promotion of conservation concepts.
Through the collaboration with the Academy of Sciences of Moldova, Ministry of Environment, Moldsilva Agency, UNDP, World Bank, the Fund of Natural Areas Protected by the State has grown from 1.96% to 5.6% of the national territory. A new set of laws and regulations that have contributed to the fulfilment of the national and international tasks on biodiversity conservation have been developed and approved; the Orhei National Park has been founded; projects on the creation of the Biosphere Reserve „Lower Prut” have been initiated.
On the basis of joint research, monitoring and evaluation activities from the recent years, scientific articles, monographs, textbooks and methodical-didactic works, which are now exhibited in the hall of the Central Library, have been published and you can appreciate them.
It has also been developed and adopted by the Parliament of the RM, the Biodiversity Conservation National Strategy and Action Plan; it is going to be published the third edition of the “Red Book” and the fundamental work in six volumes “The Flora of Bessarabia”.
We can surely say that the researches in the Republic of Moldova have contributed to solving several regional problems on biodiversity conservation, rational use of flora and vegetation, introduction of new alien species, developing recommendations on ecosystem management regime, maintaining the ecological level in optimal regime of activity in agriculture and forestry, landscape planning in the country, environmental education.
In collaboration with the Agency for Innovation and Technology Transfer, a number of scientific developments were implemented in the national economy. I am sure that many of you, through hard work, have contributed to the realization of the national and regional programmes. I would like just to mention that in the last five years, the Botanical Garden has promoted 35 new plant species to be used in the national economy.
Due to the cumulative efforts of the scientific community, it became possible the association with European programs such as the EU Framework Programme 7 and the recently launched the programme „Horizon 2020”, which is a support in obtaining infrastructure upgrading projects, mobility for young people, purchase of scientific equipment, collaboration with research institutions from abroad.
The strategic objectives for the future, of the scientific community in the domain, aim at enriching knowledge, forming a responsible attitude towards the protection of biodiversity, developing scientific bases of conservation of the plant world, including the systematic research on the flora and plant resources of Moldova, the development of the system of Natural Areas Protected by the State, the mobilization and the introduction of various species of trees and shrubs, flowering, fodder, technical, aromatic, medicinal plants and the promotion of the promising ones for the national economy.
We are sure that the way begun by our predecessors and continued today by you, materialized due to numerous personal and collective efforts and sacrifices by enthusiastic people, devoted to the scientific ideas.
Recalling the beginnings, we pay a tribute to those who have contributed to the development of this scientific field, so necessary in our society.
We still have many problems to solve, but I am sure that through common efforts we will succeed. Our duty is to act promptly and knowledgeably, to protect the Nature which helps us to survive, but which can severely punish us if we treat it irresponsibly.
On the occasion of this important international symposium, I wish the participants success, health, happiness and prosperity, to have patience, courage to overcome hardships, new successes in your noble work, the results of which are particularly valuable for various branches of science and economy of our country.