The Palestine Institute for Biodiversity and Sustainability (PIBS) – Bethlehem University participated in the 5th Mediterranean Plant Conservation Week, held in Cyprus, with a delegation that included Prof. Mazin Qumsiyeh, Jessie Chang, and botanist Banan Alshiekh.
Throughout the event, PIBS made valuable contributions with three presentations – two by Prof. Mazin and one by Ms. Banan, highlighting the institute’s ongoing research and initiatives in plant conservation. In addition, a poster on invasive alien plant species, co-authored by Banan Alshiekh and Johann Gedeon, showcased the institute’s efforts to tackle this pressing environmental issue.
The event also provided an excellent opportunity for the team to explore the biodiversity of the Troodos Mountains, Cyprus’s largest mountain range, as well as other nature trails abundant with diverse plant species. Beyond the scientific sessions, the PIBS team engaged with environmental activists and conservationists from across the Mediterranean region, fostering new connections and introducing the work of PIBS and Bethlehem University. These interactions paved the way for potential future collaborations.
PIBS’s participation in this international event underscores its expanding influence in regional conservation efforts and reinforces its commitment to advancing sustainability through research, education, and cross-border collaboration.
