imd in Egypt
The Microbial Wealth of Nations: Safeguarding Earth’s Invisible Treasures for Humanity
When: 17 September
Time: 17:00 - 20:00
Where: Arab Society for Fungal Conservation, Suez Canal University, Egypt
Organized by ASFC for International Microorganism Day 2026, The Microbial Wealth of Nations is a global initiative positioning microorganisms as sovereign bio-capital and essential treasures driving human civilization across medicine, sustainable agriculture, industrial biotechnology, alternative proteins (single-cell), and environmental conservation.
"The Microbial Wealth of Nations: Safeguarding Earth’s Invisible Treasures for Humanity" is a premier global online evening forum celebrating International Microorganism Day 2026. Organized by the Arab Society for Fungal Conservation (ASFC), this 3-hour virtual event frames microorganisms as sovereign biological capital and irreplaceable treasures essential for human civilization—highlighting their pivotal roles across medicine, alternative food sources (single-cell protein), sustainable agriculture, and green biotechnology.
University students, researchers, bio-tech innovators, educators, conservationists, and microbiology enthusiasts across the Arab region and internationally joining via live stream.
An intensive, 3-hour live interactive virtual forum (17:00 – 20:00 EEST / UTC+3) featuring keynote lectures, virtual lab demonstrations, expert panel discussions, live youth bio-invention pitches, a digital Living Agar Art gallery, and an international policy session on culture collections.
Facilitators & Speakers:
ASFC mycologists, international biotechnology researchers, culture collection curators, and youth science communicators.
Programme of the day:
7:00 – 17:15 Virtual Welcome & Digital Check-In
Activity: Live stream opening, platform orientation, welcome address by the ASFC Organizing Committee, and virtual roll call for international attendees.
17:15 – 18:00 Session 1: The Bio-Capital Revolution (Medicine & Single-Cell Proteins)
17:15 – 17:35 Keynote Lecture: "Microbes as Living Pharmacies and Alternative Protein Bio-Factories"
Topics: Secondary metabolites, novel antibiotics, gut microbiome health, mycoproteins, and precision yeast fermentation for global food security.
17:35 – 18:00 Virtual Lab Demo: Microscopic showcase of industrial yeasts, single-cell protein production, and anti-microbial bioprospecting.
18:00 – 18:45 Session 2: Green Bio-Tech & Agricultural Bio-Treasures
18:00 – 18:25 Global Expert Panel: "Microbial Solutions for Regenerative Soils and Circular Bio-Economy"
Topics: Mycorrhizal inoculants, desert extremophiles, drought-resistant endophytes, and plastic-degrading fungal enzymes.
18:25 – 18:45 | Live Q&A: Interactive audience discussion with international mycologists and bio-engineers.
18:45 – 19:30 Session 3: Global Youth Innovation & Virtual Art Gallery
18:45 – 19:10 Bio-Invention Pitch Finalists: 3-minute rapid presentations by youth participants showcasing innovative applications of microbes in agriculture, health, and green industry.
19:10 – 19:30 Virtual Gallery Walk: Live digital display of international Living Agar Art and scientific illustrations of functional fungi.
19:30 – 19:50 Policy Forum: Safeguarding Culture Collections as National Treasures
Discussion: Panel on ex-situ conservation, culture collections (like SCUF), protecting endangered micro-fungi habitats, and integrating microbial conservation into national biodiversity frameworks.
19:50 – 20:00 Award Ceremony, Conservation Pledge & Closing
Find our more: https://www.fungiofegypt.com/ASFC.html
