In order to exchange the achievements and promote ethnobiology research for sustainable rural development through the discussions on Local communities, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable livelihoods of the Belt and Road Countries, an international training workshop on ethnoecology and sustainable rural community development of the Belt and Road countries, sponsored by the International Cooperation Bureau of the Chinese Academy of Sciences and hosted by the Kunming Institute of Botany, Chinese Academy of Sciences, was held during 12th to 25th November. More than forty representatives from 13 countries including Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, Indonesia, Nepal, India, Pakistan, Tajikistan, Japan, Switzerland, Germany, United Kingdom and China were attended.

 Group photo from opening ceremony of training

In the first week of indoor training of Kunming, presentations, reports and group discussions were conducted to systematically introduce the research progress of ethnobotany and ethnoecology in countries along the Belt and Road countries. Experts from the Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming Institute of Botany, Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden, Minzu University of China, Chiang Mai University, University of London, State Museum of Natural History Karlsruhe and University of Zurich conducted academic sharing during the reports and group discussions, which were followed by active and enthusiastic discussions among the participants.

Group photos from field trips

In the Second week, field trip started from Centre for Mountain Futures in Honghe county, Manyuan Dai village, Dai medicinal plant gardens and community development, agro-homegarden system at Manyuan village, Yingchangshangzhai Jino village with its value realization of ecosystem services, Gongbing Xincun Akha village and its Culturally based rainforest restoration, Xishuangbanna tropical botanical garden visit in Menglun county. The participants were actively participants in the trip such as learning the diverse culture and tradition, discussing the planning of mountain future project, assessing the home garden plantation, experiencing the culture of the Akha community of Gongbing village.

The successful conclusion of this training course provided a platform for exchanging achievements and experiences in biodiversity conservation and sustainable rural development along the Belt and Road. Most importantly, we achieved agreement on joint publication of Springer book and a special issue of Ethnobotany Research and Applications under the topic of “Local communities, Biodiversity conservation, Sustainable livelihoods of the Belt and Road Countries” with editorial committee formed.

(Editor:YANG Mei)