The United Nations University Biotechnology Programme for Latin America and the Caribbean (UNU‑BIOLAC) participated in the NERPS Conference 2026, held in Japan, contributing to high‑level discussions on sustainable development research, policy, and education. The conference brought together researchers, practitioners, and institutions from around the world, with a strong emphasis on perspectives and challenges from the Global South. UNU‑BIOLAC’s participation also included a visit to the United Nations University central headquarters, reinforcing engagement with the broader UNU system.
UNU‑BIOLAC delivered two invited talks during the conference. The first, presented by Omar Molina, focused on sustainable models for financing sustainable development, drawing on UNU‑BIOLAC’s experience in supporting biotechnology capacity‑building across Latin America and the Caribbean. The second presentation, delivered by Carlos Pelaez, explored the potential of leveraging technical data from UNU‑BIOLAC applicantions and awarded projects to inform evidence‑based policy decisions at the intersection of biotechnology and development.
Beyond the formal sessions, the NERPS Conference provided a valuable platform for networking, knowledge exchange, and critical reflection. For UNU‑BIOLAC, the event was an opportunity to engage with complementary and contrasting ideas, remain up to date with current research agendas in sustainable development, and put existing assumptions to the test through rigorous, evidence‑based dialogue. These exchanges contribute to strengthening UNU‑BIOLAC’s role in advancing inclusive, data‑informed, and sustainable biotechnology initiatives in the Global South.
