Organized by Korea Forest Service (KFS), and Baekdudaegan National Arboretum (BDNA), the 1st international symposium of BDNA was held in Bongwha in South Korea on October 26th-27th. The theme of the symposium was ‘Future of BDNA and Seed Vault for Global Biodiversity Conservation’. More than 150 delegates from eight countries and regions participated in the symposium.

The opening ceremony was presided over by Mira Lee, the president of BDNA. Besides Mayor of Bognhwa city No Wook Park, the President of KABGA Kwang-woo Park, General Director of KNA You Mi Lee addressed at the open ceremony.

The two-day symposium program included group discussions, symposium presentations, and poster exhibitions. Katherine O’Donnell (BGCI’s Global Seed Conservation Challenge Coordinator) was honoured to be invited to the event where BGCI’s seed conservation work was presented.

BGCI and BDNA had active discussion relating to the partnership between the two organisations in relation to plant conservation, training and resources

It was a successful first international symposium, and BDNA will work with BGCI more closely to support and contribute to global efforts on plant conservation and ecological restoration.