Vol.
35 No. 4
July-August 2013
On 29 March 2013, UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova and the chief executive officer of the Russian company PhosAgro Maxim Volkov, signed a partnership agreement to promote “green chemistry.” The agreement establishes the joint Green Chemistry for Life project, to be carried out in close cooperation with IUPAC, which will provide grants to support promising projects proposed by young scientists.
Established initially for five years, the project will provide grants worth a total of USD $1.4M to young scientists from developing countries who are working on the application of advanced chemistry technologies for issues like environmental protection, human health, food supplies and the use of natural resources. Research projects will be chosen and monitored by an international scientific jury.
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UNESCO Director-General Irina Bokova (left) and Maxim Volkov, chief executive officer of PhosAgro, signing a
partnership agreement to establish the
Green Chemistry for Life project. |
“Many countries, particularly developing countries, are badly in need of developing research capacities in green chemistry, and applying its fruits for the preservation of the environment and the introduction of environmentally sound technologies,” said Irina Bokova. “This partnership reinforces UNESCO’s longstanding efforts to foster this capacity, especially among the young generations of scientists, and address these challenges.”
“We view the Green Chemistry for Life project as an investment in the whole planet, and a successful example of how science and business can unite to create new knowledge aimed at protecting the environment,” said Maxim Volkov. “I also believe this project will help to improve the prestige of chemistry and lead to more young scientists choosing to study the topic.”
“This project inspired by the 2011 International Year of Chemistry, of which PhosAgro was a generous sponsor, represents a unique opportunity for IUPAC in providing high-standard expertise in green chemistry through its network for experts,” said IUPAC Treasurer John Corish. “IUPAC will mobilize the help required for implementation of the young scientists’ scientific activities and is committed to provide advice that may be needed from its divisions and standing
committees.”
The objective of the partnership between PhosAgro and UNESCO, to be implemented in close cooperation with IUPAC, is to enhance global international capacity to harness green chemistry to help address today’s global sustainable development challenges.
PhosAgro is the largest phosphate-based fertilizer producer in Europe and the largest producer of high-grade phosphate rock worldwide. PhosAgro is also a leading producer of feed phosphates in Europe, and the only producer in Russia.
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last modified 29 August 2013.
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