Background

Medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs) in many forms have been used since the ancient times in the traditional medicinal practices for health care. Herbal medicines have been used and continue to be used to treat many diseases, such as cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, and depression, in both developed and developing countries. According to WHO, medicinal plants are accessible, affordable and culturally appropriate sources of primary health care for more than 80% of the world population and the international market of herbal products is estimated to be 62 billion US $ which is poised to grow to 5 trillion US $ by the year 2050. Intriguingly, the lack of effective drugs to combat COVID-19 at the beginning of the pandemic triggered many scientists to look for medicinal plants used in traditional medicine in many cultures to evaluate their efficacy against SARS-Cov-2 virus. This can be witnessed in a number of scientific publications during the past two years. Even now, with a successful discovery of vaccines against this virus, many countries, especially in the developing world, are still carrying out research on medicinal plants to prevent/cure COVID-19 on the grounds of a sustainable approach. Multi-purpose MAPs remain a crucial element of human and livestock healthcare systems in many developing countries. The growing global demand for natural and environment-friendly products demonstrates the vast potential of BioTrade to contribute to the strengthening of the country’s economy and rural livelihoods.  The growing global demand for medicinal and aromatic plants could help drive green economy, while improving livelihoods in its poorest communities, according to a new study realized by UNEP. The use of medicinal plants may help advance the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), mainly to end poverty and protect the planet. Seven SDGs can be addressed based on traditional ethnobotanical knowledge: (1) no poverty, (2) zero hunger, (3) good health and wellbeing, (12) responsible consumption and production, (13) climate action, (15) life on land, and (17) partnerships for the goals. The interest in MAP is growing worldwide. However, the adaptation of medicinal and aromatic plants to global challenges needs to be addressed. The competitiveness and sustainability of the value chains of cultivated or wild plants used for medicinal and cosmetic products is often under pressure. Research and development of MAP through domestication, breeding and innovation in cultivation techniques are key factors for competitiveness and adaptation to environmental changes, especially climate change. Considering  desertification, water and climate change problems, development of MAPs cultivation instead of other water consuming crops will contibute to better mange limited natural resources and constitue a significant additional sources of income, especially for women. In many harsh regions, women who are traditionally in charge of crops and land-related work are particularly more vulnerable due to the unequal distribution of roles, resources and power between women and men. 

Following SIPAM-1, SIPAM,2, SIPAM-3, SIPAM-4, SIPAM-5 organized by Arid Zone Research Institute (IRA) with national and international partners, which have become a very successful platform for renowned scientists, young researchers, traditional health practitioners, NGOs, policy makers, farmers, Government agencies, and industries who work on various aspects of medicinal and aromatic plants around the world to communicate and exchange their experiences. The Sixth International Symposium on Aromatic and Medicinal Plants (SIPAM-6) will be organized in Djerba (Tunisia), during March 18^th-20^st, 2023. The SIPAM-6 scientific program covers all the aspects of MAPs, including phytochemical and bioactivity of natural products, plant-based functional foods, innovative extraction process, pharmacology, cosmetics and toxicology of PAMs, herbal medicines. SIPAM-6 is a real opportunity for future research collaboration and networking between institutions particularly in the promotion and development of medicinal and aromatic plants for one health.

  Topics

The symposium will comprise key-note presentations, oral presentations, poster presentations field trip and visit to some MAP projects. The main topics to be developed are:

♠ S1 – Innovative Extraction Process.

♠S2 – Activity of natural products from PAM.

♠ S3 – Formulation of extracted natural products.

 ♠ S4 – Plant-Based Functional foods.

♠ S5 – Potential of Plants for depollution: Biosorption, phytoremediation.

♠ S6 – Pharmacology, cosmetics and toxicology of PAMs products.

♠ S7– Ethnobotany and related fields.

Conference Content

• Plenary and semi-plenary conferences given by internationally renowned speakers.
• Oral presentation sessions of proven scientific research.
• Technology transfer sessions: The objective of this session is to provide to the young promoters and to postdoc attending success stories sharing their best career advice and by pushing to overcome obstacles
• Exhibition of MAP products / industrial: An exhibition space will be available to the main stakeholders to present their products (startups, industrial, NGOs, organizations…).

Parallel sessions are planned according to the initiatives of partners and stakeholders. Sponsors from industry, services, or other organizations, can offer their support to the seminar and can benefit from promotional activities throughout the seminar period.