Welcome to the Center of Origin & Diversity, Ethiopia!
Establishment & History
A Plant Genetic Resources Center, Ethiopia (PGRC/E) was initially established in May 1976 through a bilateral technical cooperation agreement between the Governments of Ethiopia and Germany. The main objective was to rescue the country’s plant genetic resources from adverse impacts of various human activities and natural calamities and thereby, support crop improvement programs. In 1998, it was re-established as the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation and Research (IBCR) broadening its mandate and duties to implement Ethiopia’s obligation to the Convention of Biological Diversity (CBD). In 2004, the Institute of Biodiversity Conservation (IBC) was amended.
Most Visited Resources on our Website are the following:
Genetic M. Transfer Multimedia Publications
22 May 2013
International Day for Biological Diversity
International Theme: “Water and Biodiversity”
Venue: Arbaminch University, Arbaminch
Read about Wetland Biodiversity of Ethiopia
International Day of Forests (21 March 2013): click here
Theme: “Forests: our Lives, our Future” The day was celebrated.
Venue: Bale Goba, Oromiya National Regional State
Vision
By 2023, IBC will be Center of Excellence in Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use in Africa.
Mission
Undertake study and research on the proper conservation of Ethiopia’s Biodiversity and associated indigenous knowledge; Establish participatory conservation mechanisms; Ensure fair and equitable Access and Benefit Sharing; Promote sustainable utilization of biodiversity for sustainable development
Objectives
The Objective of the Institute is to ensure the appropriate Conservation and Utilization of the Country’s Biodiversity.
Forest Biodiversity
Mandates, Duties and Responsibilities
Ethiopia has set clear national policy directives on conservation of biological resources. In the past, conservation efforts focused on plant genetic resources and priority was given to field crops. Since 1998, the Institute was given a wider mandate of conservation and sustainable utilization of all forms of biological resources including plants, animals and microbial genetic resources as well as associated indigenous knowledge. Ecosystem management is also recognized as one of the areas to be given priority.
As to the importance of biodiversity and our dependence on biological resources, conservation efforts give emphasis to local and national needs and values. The Institute, thus, has power and duties related to the conservation and promoting the sustainable utilization of Ethiopia’s biodiversity. This includes maintaining and developing international relations with bilateral and multilateral bodies having the potential to providing technical assistance. The Institute, on the basis of national legislation, has the responsibility and duty to implement international conventions, agreements and obligations on biodiversity to which Ethiopia is a party.
Loblia
Organization
The Institute consists of two key processes (Directorates), namely: (1) Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Use, and (2) Genetic Resources Transfer and Regulation; and five support processes, namely: (1) Public Relations and Communication, (2) Finance, Procurement and Property Administration, (3) Audit, (4) Plan & Programme, and (5) Human Resources Development and Administration. The Conservation and Use Directorate has five case teams, namely: (1) Animal, (2) Forest, (3) Crop & Horticulture, (4) Microbial Geenetic Resources; and (5) Genebank and Laboratories case teams. The Institute is lead by a Director General (DG). The Core Management and the Council are accountable to the DG. The Core Management consist of directors of the key and support processes, while the Council is made up of all management members and case team leaders.
