National Biodiversity Data Centre, with Compass Informatics, has signed a collaboration agreement for expertise exchange and shared learning with the South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI). The formulation and signing of the Agreement build on existing working links and will formalise a much closer working relationship between Ireland and South Africa. The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI) contributes to South Africa’s sustainable development by facilitating access to biodiversity data, generating information and knowledge, building capacity, providing policy advice, conserving biodiversity in its beautiful Kirstenbosch National Botanic Garden under Table Mountain. The National Biodiversity Data Centre and Compass Informatics have built a reputation for development of state-of-the-art data management and mapping infrastructure and is actively involved in building the knowledge base on Ireland’s biodiversity, with the objective of improving decision-making for biodiversity.
The Collaboration Agreement covers three areas;
- Development of research infrastructures,
- Advancement of data science, biodiversity assessment and monitoring, and policy advice, and
- Collaboration on funding proposals to support special initiatives.
There is clearly overlapping roles and experiences that both organisations can learn from each other. The collaboration agreement was formally signed on the fringes of the Global Biodiversity Information Facility meeting in Kilkenny in October.
