Scientists from Belarus, Poland and the United States are stepping up trilateral cooperation and joint activities in the field of biodiversity and conversation of unique natural areas.

This decision was made following the meeting all the working group on August 7-9, 2021 at the Institute for Mammal Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences (IMR PAN). The event was attended by delegations from the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus, the Polish Academy Sciences and the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine of the United States of America (NASEM USA).
The delegation of our country was headed by the Deputy Chairman of the Presidium of the NAS of Belarus, Academician Aliaxandr Kilchevsky, the Polish delegation was headed by the Vice President of the Polish Academy of Sciences Romuald Zabelski, and the US delegation was led by the Executive Director for Politics and Global Affairs of the National Academy of Sciences, Engineering and Medicine of the USA Vahan Turekian. Researchers from the three countries discussed organizational issues, subsequent scientific activities, good acquainted with the objects of the Białowieża National Park (Poland). Members of the delegation of the NAS of Belarus made a presentation on scientific activities, natural objects, infrastructure, activities of scientists of the National Academy of Sciences for the preservation of the Belarusian part of Belavezhskaya Pushcha.

The meeting of scientists from Belarus, Poland and the United States was the initial stage in the organization and preparation of a major event – the international conference “Conservation Genomics” which is planned to be held in the fall of 2022 on the territory of the National Park “Belavezhskaya Pushcha”, the NAS of Belarus and on the territory of Poland. The main goal of the forum is to apply the knowledge gained to preserve endangered species of wildlife.

It should be noted that one of the most important topics of cooperation between the NAS of Belarus and the Polish Academy of Sciences is the problem of Belavezhskaya Pushcha, which is the national treasure of Belarus and Poland. This is the preservation of biodiversity, restoration of the hydrological regime of forest ecosystems, etc. The “Conservation Genomics” conference has been held every one and a half years for over two decades. Famous scientists from different countries of the world act as teachers. Course participants learn the methods, interpretation and application of molecular genetic analysis to conserve endangered species, and share their experiences in studying phenomena in this important area.