Over five decades, SEAMEO BIOTROP has made significant contributions to save biodiversity and conserve the ecosystem.  Among pieces of evidences of the significant contributions are valuable herbarium collections of weeds, trees and invasive plants as well as a high-value collection of fungi, insects and storage pests for research and testing purposes.  These valuable and historic collections of biodiversity need to be preserved and better managed in digital format to make information available to researchers and the general public around the world.

In that regard, SEAMEO BIOTROP held a Workshop and Focus Group Discussion on the Development of Biodiversity Database Framework on 6 July 2022. This event was officially opened by Dr Zulhamsyah Imran, the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP. In his opening remarks, Dr Zulhamsyah Imran, the Director of SEAMEO BIOTROP shared his expectations that this workshop and focus group discussion served as a medium for learning and sharing information on the development of global biodiversity data management. He further mentioned that the output from this activity provides guidance for SEAMEO BIOTROP in formulating a biodiversity database framework relevant to national, regional and global demand.

The resource persons of this event were 1). Prof. Dr. Pieter Pelser from University of Cartenbury, New Zealand; 2). Dr. Iman Hidayat from Indonesian Innovation and Research Body (BRIN); and 3). Dr. Supriyanto, S.Si, M.Kom from IPB University.

In his presentation, Dr. Pieter explained that building a database starts with collecting botanical research information, plant systematics and “legacy ideas” from previous researchers. The purpose of building a biodiversity database is to conserve and provide information to the researchers and general public.