Start of the activities of “The Damascenea Iris Conference, Together to Preserve Our Identity and Our Natural Heritage”

The activities of the environmental conference: “The Damascenea Iris, Together to Preserve Our Identity and Our Natural Heritage” was launched today. It is organized by the Faculty of Science, Damascus University, in celebration of the World Environment Day and the World Day of Biodiversity and Environment, and in cooperation with the National Union of Syrian Students and the Arab Center for the Studies of Arid Zones and Arid Lands "ACSAD", in the presence of Ministers of Higher Education and Scientific Research and Agriculture.

Themes of the conference are focused on biodiversity and sustainable development, sustainable solutions to environmental challenges, endangered species and conservation measures, documentation of natural heritage in Syria. Its activities also include presentations on research, scientific papers, and introductory lectures, and an environmental competition, accompanied by an exhibition that includes samples and scientific posters in the Reda Saeed Conference Centre.

In the opening speech, President of the University, Dr. Mohammed Osama Al-Jabban, stressed the importance of the conference as a valuable opportunity for all participants; researchers, those interested in environmental affairs and graduate students.

For his part, Director of ACSAD, Dr. Nasr Eddin Al-Obaid, pointed to the cooperation agreements between the organization and the Ministry of Higher Education and its various affiliated universities. He also reviewed aspects of the organization's cooperation with various relevant authorities and bodies and its active participation in the activities of ACSAD and its development projects.

Dean of the Faculty, Dr. Hammoud Al-Orabi, explained that the conference coincides with the World Environment Day on June under the theme of "Land Reclamation, Desertification and Resilience in the Face of Drought," stressing the interest of the Faculty of Science in environmental research and its keenness to participate in preserving the environment.

The opening of the conference was attended by representatives of government and private unions, bodies and institutions, a number of deans of and a group of professors and students.