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Cyprus represented at the Commonwealth Science Conference

The first in 50 years Commonwealth Science Conference  held in Bangalore, India on 25 - 28 November 2014 drew international attention, as it highlighted the formidable scientific programs pursued in Commonwealth countries. The event was organised under the aegis of the London Royal Society and the Government of India and was supported by The Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.

The Commonwealth represents nearly a third of the world’s population and forms a significant part of the global scientific community, with 12% of the world’s researchers and approximately 10% of global Research and Development expenditure. The conference aimed to celebrate excellence in Commonwealth science, to bring together scientists and provide opportunities for cooperation between researchers in different Commonwealth countries; to inspire young scientists and to build scientific capacity in the developing nations within the Commonwealth. Aiming to address common challenges like climate change, health and development of new materials, the scope of the meeting was broad and included physical sciences, life sciences, mathematics and engineering, as well as science policy. Besides advances in physical sciences, life sciences and engineering, the participants also discussed science policies and presented a region-wise update on Science.

The threat of climate change was a major discussion topic throughout the event. During the conference the "Resilience to extreme weather" report was launched. The study indicates that demographic shifts, combined with a warming climate, will exacerbate exposure to climatic extremes such as floods, droughts and heatwaves, putting many Commonwealth nations in the firing line.  The Cyprus Institute spearheads important regional programs in this thematic area.

From left to right: Prof. C.N.R. Rao - Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse - President of the Royal Society and Prof. Anthony Cheetham - Treasurer and Vice-President of the Royal Society

From left to right: Prof. C.N.R. Rao - Head of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister of India, Nobel Laureate Sir Paul Nurse - President of the Royal Society and Prof. Anthony Cheetham - Treasurer and Vice-President of the Royal Society

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The President of CyI, Prof. Costas Papanicolas (left) at a Panel discussing issues of science policy formulation in Commonwealth countries with Dr Firdausi Qadri, Sir Mark Walport, Professor Zakri Abdul Hamid and Professor Anthony Clayton

The Conference was attended by 300 specially invited leading scientists from member countries including Nobel laureates Sir Paul Nurse and Britain’s Astronomer Royal, Lord Martin Rees, as well as Presidents of prestigious Science Academies. 

Cyprus was represented in the program, as among the approximately forty invited  speakers at the meeting was academician Costas N. Papanicolas, President of The Cyprus Institute. Prof. Papanicolas presented the case of The Cyprus Institute and in a panel he discussed issues of science policy formulation in Commonwealth countries.

The President of India Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurated the conference alongside HRH Prince Andrew, the Duke of York. During his opening address the President called upon all gathered to ensure that the Commonwealth Science Conference acts as a platform for the flowering of ingenious ideas that benefit the common man and urged Commonwealth nations to join hands in bilateral and international 'Mega Science' initiatives.

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the Commonwealth Science Conference

The President of India, Shri Pranab Mukherjee inaugurates the Commonwealth Science Conference

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