General Director of the Institute of Botany of MSE RA, doctor of biological scienes, professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva and head of Mycology Department, Dr. associate professor Dilzara Aghayeva were on a business trip to London, Great Britain.

The aim of the visit was to attend the international symposium "State of the World’s Plants and Fungi" organized by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and discuss the existing collaborations, as well as activities which can be implemented on other priority directions.

The international science-policy symposium organized by the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew in a hybrid format, attended by more than 1,500 participants, included extensive discussions on the diversity, distribution, threats and protection of plants and fungi.  Taking into account that much work in Africa, including in southern hemisphere, where large part of the biodiversity is located has been resolved and possibility of free provision of the resources in some countries, the importance of paying more attention to the researches on the Asian continent in the coming years was highlighted. Also globally, the use of the term Funga along with the 3F concept i.e. Flora, Fauna has been proposed and supported.

Report, as well as poster titled "Protection of plants and macrofungi in Azerbaijan and evaluated species" was presented by the scientists of the Institute of Botany at the event. Memorandum of Understanding was signed between professor Alexander Antonelli, science director of Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew and professor Sayyara Ibadullayeva, general director of the Institute of Botany, MSE RA. According to the MoU, the main priorities include the work performed and future activities, the experience, training and research of young scientists and doctoral students at the Royal Botanical Garden, Kew as well as the study of the causes of the disappearance of rare and endangered species in our country due to the new grant.

Within the framework of the visit, preliminary talks were held on the acquaintance with the Herbarium and Fungarium operating under the organization and the possibilities of future cooperation. Also during a trip to the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, it was considered important to apply some details of their experience in our country in the future.