28 February 2013: The South African National Biodiversity Institute (SANBI), as a contribution towards the objectives of the Consortium of Scientific Partners on Biodiversity, hosted an international workshop on building a biodiversity information system for South Africa that could be also be applied in other African countries.

The workshop provided strategic direction to SANBI on developing its new biodiversity information architecture. Outcomes highlighted, among others, included: the need for collaboration and synergies among global initiatives on biodiversity information systems to harness positive impacts at the national level; the need for development of a shared national vision in South Africa; and the need for national policies on biodiversity data standards and on the commercial use of biodiversity data. [Biosafety Clearing-House News][SANBI Biodiversity Advisor Webpage][Consortium of Scientific Partners on Biodiversity]