The 1st International Congress on Innovation, Agriculture and Sustainability in Amazonas was held on 10 and 11 April in Manaus, Brazil, in a co-organization by the Polytechnic University of Coimbra (PUC), as partner of the european alliance UNIgreen, the Amazonas State Government, the Amazonas State Legislative Assembly and the Amazonas International Relations Centre (NURIAM). More than 700 participants participated in this first edition of the event, that discussed the future of agriculture, with the submission of 59 papers to the scientific committee and presentation in themed rooms.
For two days, the Vasco Vasques Convention Centre in Amazonas was the stage for a debate on the main challenges facing agriculture, bringing together researchers, professionals, academics and specialists for a moment of sharing and reflection on how agricultural practices can be transformed to preserve the environment, optimise natural resources and, at the same time, guarantee increased productivity and the creation of innovative technological solutions that meet the demands of the sector.
The congress programme included three Conferences:
- ‘Climate Change and Agricultural Production’,
- ‘Innovation and Technology in Agriculture’,
- ‘Challenges for Sustainable Agriculture’,
in the 21st Century’, as well as discussions and presentations spread across various relevant thematic groups, such as Responsible Governance, Land Use and Climate Change; Technology, Quality and Food Safety; Agricultural and Rural Policy, among others. Additionally, the event was accompanied by an exhibition and regional fair, where various organizations, associations, and activities from Amazonas were showcased.
The UNIgreen delegation actively participated in the Congress not only as attendees but also as panelists, presenters, chairs of the sessions, and seized the key opportunity to present the Alliance’s strengths and discuss opportunities for collaboration.
Professor Maria João Cardoso presented the activities of UNIgreen Alliance and emphasized that by connecting European universities with institutions in Amazonas, UNIgreen aims to facilitate cross-continental partnerships that address global agricultural and environmental challenges. Professor Rui Costa also presented the UNIgreen International PhD School, a unique initiative that offers interdisciplinary research opportunities focused on sustainable agriculture, agroecology, biotechnology, and environmental sciences. Professor Mariusz Maciejczak presented the Joint Research Centers of UNIgreen as a platform for collaboration among Alliance members and their external partners, emphasizing the interdisciplinary nature of the research and development activities, its innovation, and the wide-ranging potential for implementing cutting-edge solutions in the areas of importance for both European and Brazilian partners. Professor Marta Henriques emphasized the importance of collaboration between UNIgreen partners, the state of Amazonas, and Brazil as a whole, highlighting their shared vision for the development of sustainable agriculture and rural areas. She pointed out that in many areas, this collaboration could be synergistic, leading to groundbreaking solutions with global impact. Finally, Professor Jorge Conde, President of the Polytechnic University of Coimbra, underscored the significance of the congress as an opportunity for European universities specializing in sustainable agriculture, biotechnology, and life sciences to engage with the challenges and innovative practices being implemented in the Amazon region.
