A delegation from Embassy of Ethiopia in London visited Millennium Seed Bank of Kew Gardens to explore cooperation in biodiversity conservation and seed banking. The Millennium Seed Bank, managed by Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is the world’s largest wild plant seed conservation facility, safeguarding over 2.5 billion seeds representing more than 40,000 species.
Discussions emphasized the importance of seed banking for climate resilience, ecosystem restoration, and long-term protection of plant diversity. The Ethiopian delegation highlighted Ethiopia’s rich biodiversity and its role as a major center of origin for many plant species of global importance.
The delegation toured the facility, observing seed collection, testing, drying, and storage processes. Both sides agreed on strengthening collaboration through capacity building, scientific exchange, and joint research aligned with Ethiopia’s conservation priorities.
Ethiopia’s flora includes about 6,000 plant species with roughly 10% endemism. However, most of the estimated 600 endemic species are not yet secured in ex situ collections, highlighting an urgent conservation gap.
This effort will involve the National Herbarium of Ethiopia at Addis Ababa University and the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute seed bank in Addis Ababa. Planned initiatives include seed collection, data management, herbarium digitization, and training in seed conservation techniques.
Both institutions expressed commitment to strengthening long-term partnerships that enhance scientific capacity, protect threatened species, and support Ethiopia’s contribution to global biodiversity conservation and climate adaptation efforts over the coming years ahead together effectively.
Source: Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and Embassy of Ethiopia London (Facebook)