Hyderabad has scored over Delhi in getting the chance to host the first in the country and the prestigious 11th global Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD). The city had geared up to welcome nearly 8,000 to 10,000 representatives from nearly 200 countries for the International Biodiversity Summit (October 1-19). Spruced up with wonderful themes the city glows in pride.

Earlier Union Minister of State for Environment and Forests Jairam Ramesh said it would be the largest ever international conference to be hosted by India. This conference along with the 6th meeting of the Conference of the parties serving as the meeting of the parties to Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (Cop Mop 6).

The participants included officials from international organizations such as the World Bank and the Asian Development Bank at the event held at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC). The CBD will be inaugurated by Environment Minister Jayanthi Natarajan

The meeting of the Parties to COP MOP 6 is scheduled first. It will discuss and adopt further decisions to ensure the safe transfer, handling and use of living modified organisms (LMOs) resulting from modern biotechnology. The five-day meet will conclude on October 5 and will be followed by the Conference of the Parties to the Convention on Biological Diversity (COP 11) between October 8 and 19 and is expected to see the participation of heads of countries along with our own Prime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh. (With inputs from internet-AW AarKay)