First working meetings within the European network on genomic biodiversity for resilient ecosystems held in Sarajevo

From September 4th to 6th, 2019, the Society for Genetic Conservation of B&H endemic and autochthonous resources „Genofond“ and the University of Sarajevo-Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology hosted a series of events within pan-European COST project Genomic BIodiversity Knowledge for Resilient Ecosystems - G-Bike (CA18134). Project represents a research network within Horizon 2020 COST Programme that will link scientists and practitioners across the EU and beyond, highlighting the importance of genetic and genomic tools in biodiversity conservation. A total of 58 scientists from 32 European countries attended the meeting of representatives of participating countries and the meetings of five project working groups. Particularly interesting was the G-Biking cycling tour that participants took through the Grand Alley in Ilidža, aiming to draw attention to the importance of reducing CO2 emissions and climate change that ecosystems across the planet are exposed to. On this occasion, the guests had the opportunity to visit and get acquainted with the natural and cultural-historical sights of the protected area of Vrelo Bosna.

Representatives of Bosnia and Herzegovina in this project are Emina Šunje, MA (Faculty of Natural Sciences and Mathematics, UNSA), Adi Habul, MSc (Environmental Fund of the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina), Branislav Cvjetković, Ph.D. (Faculty of Forestry, University of Banja Luka) and Belma Kalamujić Stroil, Ph.D. (Institute for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology, UNSA) who serves as a leader of working group V “Knowledge Sharing”.

The G-Bike project will run until May 2023.