On 19 May 2023 (Friday), the United Nations University (UNU) will host “How Can Biotechnology Help Us Achieve the SDGs?“, a BIG IDEAS Dialogue with Gustavo Fermin, Programme Coordinator of the UNU Programme for Biotechnology in Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU-BIOLAC). This event will be held via Zoom webinar beginning at 09:30 JST (UTC+9).
Biotechnology is one of the oldest of human activities. Humans have long used living organisms (or some of their component parts) to create novel products or to solve otherwise intractable problems. Biotechnology can be a key contributor to achievement of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by mutually supporting/being supported by other partners (SDG4, SDG16, SDG17).
Biotechnology contributes to physical and mental well-being and to sustainable economic development (SDG8, SDG9) by developing more bountiful and resilient crops (SDG1, SDG2); more-efficiently decontaminating water supplies and improving sanitation (SDG6); providing clean, affordable energy sources (SDG7); and treating, curing, or preventing diseases (SDG3). In combination with other technologies, biotechnological solutions can help to fight against climate change (SDG13), contribute to gender equality (SDG5), and reduce inequalities (SDG10). And when combined with practical monitoring of urban and rural holobionts, biotechnology is fundamental to creating sustainable cities (SDG11), achieving sustainable production/consumption (SDG12), and preserving life on land and water (SDG14, SDG15).
In his presentation, Professor Fermin will discuss some examples of biotechnology’s current and potential contributions to achieving the SDGs.
Please note this event will be in English; Japanese interpretation will not be provided. Advance registration by 18 May is required. Registrants will receive an email on the day of the event with a link to attend via Zoom webinar.
About the Speaker
Gustavo Fermin holds an MS degree in Molecular Biology from Universidad de Los Andes (ULA, Venezuela) and a PhD degree in Plant Pathology from Cornell University. His PhD research focused on the creation and molecular characterization of transgenic plants resistant to viruses thanks to natural or synthetic transgenes. After returning to Venezuela, he resumed his academic activities at ULA where he was in charge of undergraduate and graduate courses in Genetics, Genetic Engineering, Molecular Ecology, and Bioethics, among others.
His recent work has focused on studying viruses, bacteria, fungi, chromists, plants, and animals of ecological, sanitary, conservation, and biotechnological importance. An important part of his work has dealt with the education and training of young students in Latin America and, more recently, in Africa.
In January 2023, Dr Fermin joined UNU-BIOLAC as its Programme Coordinator.
Dr Fermin has authored and co-authored over 100 publications, including the 2018 book Viruses: Molecular Biology, Host Interactions and Applications to Biotechnology (Elsevier).
About the series
The BIG IDEAS: SDGs Dialogue Series introduces the people, projects, and organisations behind shared efforts to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). Each event features leading representatives and researchers from international organisations, UN agencies, and UNU institutes to stimulate discussion on sustainable development issues and initiatives. The events provide a unique opportunity for young researchers, graduate students, and civil society to become more familiar with SDG-related topics, ask questions, and learn how they can contribute to local and global SDG progress.
