The agreement was reached during the First High-Level Roundtable between Africa and the Americas, convened and organized by the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and IICA, entitled “Building Bridges for Future Cooperation in Agrifood Systems”.

Mrs. Olmedo is the first woman to direct the Center for Research and Advanced Studies (CINVESTAV) of the National Polytechnic Institute of Mexico. She stands out as a researcher in the field of Genetic Engineering and Molecular Biology and her studies focus on biotechnological developments for agriculture, such as biofertilizers.

As a researcher, Dr. Chan led the development of the HB4 gene, which comes from sunflowers and provides wheat and soybeans with greater tolerance to droughts.

The commendation was presented to her by the Director General of the Institute, Manuel Otero, for her contributions to innovative livestock farming and environmental preservation.

This is the veterinary surgeon’s second consecutive term as head of the specialist agency in agricultural development and rural well-being

The ceremony will be held on Monday, January 17, at the Headquarters of the Inter-American Institute for Cooperation on Agriculture (IICA) in Costa Rica. Given the current health situation, it will be held virtually. Manuel Otero, a veterinarian and expert in development issues, will lead the organization, which specializes in agriculture and rural development, until 2026.