The First ECO Seed Association (ECOSA) International Seed Trade Conference

(Antalya, 1-4 December 2009)

The First ECO Seed Association (ECOSA) International Seed Trade Conference (ECOSA-2009) and 1st General Assembly Meeting of the ECOSA was held in Antalya on 1-4 December 2009.  More than 230 private sector representatives and seed sector specialists from the 8 ECO member countries, various international organizations and institutions, companies from outside of ECO region participated in the Conference.  The Conference was organized by Ministry of Agriculture of the Republic of Turkey and Turkish Seed Association in collaboration with ECO Secretariat, FAO and ICARDA.

After the welcoming statement by Dr. Vehbi ESER, President of ECOSA, the Conference was inaugurated by His Excellency Dr. Ramazan Kadak, Deputy Undersecretary of the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Turkey. Mr. Fatih Unlu, ECO Deputy Secretary General, Dr. Moustafa Sinaceur, Head of FAO-SEC, and Mr. Zewdi Bishaw from ICARDA also made  their statements.

In his augural statement, Dr. Ramazan KADAK noted that cooperation among regional countries, seed unions and seed companies was essential for the success of ECOSA.  He thanked the international institutions for their support in the realization of the conference. Mr. Fatih UNLU in his statement,  mentioning the steady increase in the production of agricultural products in the ECO region, emphasized the need for introducing better varieties into the region for further boosting the production He also underlined the importance protecting local varieties and introducing them to the world. Dr. Moustafa SINACEUR and Dr. Zewdi BISHAW mentioning the background of the project, expressed the importance of ECOSA with respect to seed security in the ECO region and in the world and underlined the importance of harmonization of  seed legislation in the region.

 The two days conference focused on the following issues:

  1. Status of Global and Regional Seed Industry,
  2. International Environments of Seed and Its Relevance to ECO Region,
  3. Regional Collaboration to Facilitate Seed Trade,
  4. Status and Performance of Private Sector in ECO Region,
  5. Success Stories of Private Sector and Lessons for ECO Region
  6. Cooperative Models in Seed Sector and Lessons for ECO Region.

Second ECOSA Seed Trade Conference and 2nd General Assembly Meeting of ECOSA will be held in 2010.

 

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