The 4th Vietnam national scientific conference on ecology and biological resources was held here Friday by the Institute of Ecology and Biological Resources (IEBR), under the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, in response to the Vietnam's International Year on biodiversity and forests.

Participants to the conference, being domestic and foreign scientists and managers in the field, exchanged experience in handling exhaustion of the ecological environment and protection of rare fauna and flora, and set forth scientific solutions to sustainable using of biological resources in Vietnam, said Vietnam News Agency.

About 319 reports made by 583 authors, including 32 foreigners, were sent to the organizing committee, which covered four major topics including ecology and environment; biological resources; bio-diversity and preservation; fauna and flora.

Addressing the conference, IEBR Director Prof. Dr. Le Xuan Canh, said that the conference would provide opportunities for domestic and foreign research agencies to expand cooperation in ecology and biological resources and together implement projects in human resource training, research and protection of biodiversity in Vietnam.

Vietnam has been recognized globally to be home for high biodiversity and among countries given priority for biological preservation. The country's biological resources are of importance in national economic development. Biodiversity is seen a foundation for food security, maintenance and development of animals and plants, and supply of materials for construction, energy and pharmacy sectors, Canh said.