The XIX International Botanical Congress (IBC) was held from July 23-29 at the Shenzhen Convention and Exhibition Center in Shenzhen, China, which brought together 6850 representatives from 77 countries and regions. Prof. Chen Jin, director of Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical Garden (XTBG), was one member of the scientific program committee and headed up 70 researchers and students of XTBG to the congress.  

The 19th IBC brings together scientists from around the world to discuss new research in the plant sciences. Through public lectures, plenary lectures, keynote lectures, general symposia sessions and poster sessions, the congress reflected diverse contributions from the plant research community across a broad range of related sub-disciplines in addressing some significant and social challenges facing the world.  

XTBG researchers presented their research progress and communicated with international colleagues. 12 researchers made oral presentations and 16 researchers made poster presentations. Seven scientists organized general symposia as following:  

Alice C. Hughes Developing priorities for the conservation of Karst flora (two sessions)
Chen Jin Arboreta and botanical gardens as major centers for research and conservation of global trees and forests
Zhou Zhekun Plant conservation, learning from the past
Yu Wenbin Ecology and evolution of parasitic plants
Wang Ximin Interpretation of plants to the public.  

During the sidelines of the 19th IBC, a series of satellite meetings were held. Prof. Chen Jin and Prof. Hu Huabin attended the XIX International Botanical Congress – Botanical Garden Directors' Forum, whose theme is "New missions for botanical gardens in Anthropocene", held at Fairy Lake Botanical Garden. Directors of botanical gardens from China, the United States and Australia delivered keynote speeches on the subject and shared new methods for species conservation and botanical garden management. At the forum, a cooperation deal was signed between the Chinese Union of Botanical Gardens (CUBG) and Botanic Gardens Conservation International (BGCI).
"THE SHENZHEN DECLARATION ON PLANT SCIENCES--Uniting plant sciences and society to build a green, sustainable Earth" was released from the 19th IBC.  

ABOUT
The International Botanical Congress (IBC) is held once every six years. The Congresses are particularly notable in that they not only bring together scientists from many countries, but also from many disciplines within the broader research fields related to the plant sciences, including botany, mycology, ecology, horticulture, agriculture, and other related fields. The increasing knowledge about plants—their history, growth, uses, interactions with other organisms, and roles in the ecosystem—is becoming progressively important for the stability and sustainability of the human endeavor and, indeed, of all life on Earth. 

XTBG researchers make oral presentations. 

International scientists present their research.