- Published: 18.11.2024.
Ambassador Mihelin at the signing of the new Memorandum of Understanding on cooperation at the Joint Croatian-Chinese Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services in the next five-year period
The Memorandum was concluded between the University of Zagreb and its Faculty of Science, on the Croatian side, and the Chengdu Institute of Biology, within the Chinese Academy of Sciences, on the other side. The Joint Croatian-Chinese Laboratory for Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services has also been recognized within the framework of the Belt and Road Initiative. Through this scientific cooperation, prominent national parks of the two countries, Plitvice Lakes and Jiuzhaigou, as well as Krka and Huanglong, are also connected, cooperating on issues of sustainable development, sustainable tourism and environmental protection.
After calling for tribute to all victims of the Homeland War, on the day dedicated to their memory, especially the victims of Vukovar and Škabrnja, Ambassador Mihelin emphasized in his welcoming speech the cooperation between the EU and China in the field of biodiversity, the fight against climate change and environmental protection, as well as the recognized scientific cooperation between Croatia and China. He particularly highlighted the dedicated work and enthusiasm of Professor Emerita of the Faculty of Science in Zagreb, Anđelka Plenković-Moraj, on this project, who was also awarded the prestigious Chinese Tianfu Friendship Award in 2019. The Vice-Rector of the University of Zagreb for International and Institutional Cooperation, Prof. Dr. Sc. Jurica Pavičić, emphasized the University's openness to further cooperation. The Chinese Executive Director of the Joint Laboratory, Prof. Dr. Sc. Sun Geng, presented his achievements and joint cooperation to date. Professor Emerita Plenković-Moraj thanked for everyone for the support and cooperation to date.
The ceremony was attended by the leadership of the Chengdu Institute of Biology, representatives of the Chinese Academy of Sciences, provincial and city authorities, and a delegation from the universities of Zagreb and Dubrovnik, who were visiting China for the World Chinese Language Conference on the occasion of the twentieth anniversary of the Confucius Institutes, as well as a visit to the partner Shanghai University of International Business and Economics, led by Vice-Rector Pavičić and Rector Prof. Dr. Sc. Nebojša Stojčić.