This congress, broadened to include all of tropical Asia, follows the first two international symposia on the Flora of Cambodia, Laos and Vietnam in Phnom Penh in 2008 and Hanoi in 2010 which were of considerable interest to the botanical community of SE Asia.

The principal aim of this congress is to stimulate North-South collaboration in the study of the tropical flora. The delegates, who come from numerous tropical Asian countries, including those of ASEAN, will compare their expertise in various subjects such as taxonomy, plant systematics, phytochemistry, biogeography, ethnobotany and conservation.

A note on the first two symposia:

The first symposium (8^th – 14^th December 2008) was organised by the Muséum national d'histoire naturelle and the Royal University of Phnom Penh, and gathered 350 participants from more than 20 countries. There were 57 oral presentations and 60 posters, and a workshop in botanical illustration which attracted about 40 people.

In a film recorded in Paris, Professor Jules E. Vidal gave a message of encouragement to the researchers and scientists of the region at the close of the symposium.

The second symposium (6^th – 11^th December 2010) was organised by the Muséum national d’histoire naturelle, the Institut of Ecology and Biological Resources and the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology. Two hundred participants from about 10, mainly Asian countries, attended. They presented 66 oral papers and 56 posters. A workshop on watercolour illustration was included in the programme.

The final recommendation was an undertaking to share knowledge for the benefit of biodiversity in this region.

This third meeting has been eagerly awaited as a forum where recent research results can be presented, advice on plant conservation policy in tropical Asia can be given, and the sustainable use of plant resources can be promoted.

Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN), Institut de Systématique, Evolution, Biodiversité (UMR7205 ISYEB), Paris

National University of Laos (NUOL), Faculty of Science, Vientiane

and

Institut de Recherche pour le Développement (IRD), Pharmacochimie et pharmacologie pour le développement (UMR 152 PHARMA-DEV), Toulouse

With financial support from:

         Muséum national d’histoire naturelle (MNHN)

and

National University of Laos (NUOL)

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