The final declaration of the “Symposium on the Effects of Pesticides on Food Safety and Public Health,” organized by TÜBA and hosted by Mersin University on April 3–4, 2026, has been released. While the declaration acknowledges the indispensable role of pesticide use in agricultural production, it emphasizes that uninformed and intensive use poses serious risks to human health, the environment, and the economy.
The International Relations Working Group of the Turkish Academy of Sciences (TÜBA), at its meeting on March 12, 2026, examined the war that began following the attacks by the United States and Israel against Iran, the deepening of conflicts in the Middle East, the Gulf, and Lebanon, and the humanitarian crisis in its regional and global dimensions. Following the general situation assessment conducted at the meeting, it was unanimously decided to share the following declaration with the international academic community and the public.
The “Symposium on the Effects of Pesticides on Food Safety and Public Health,” organized by the TÜBA Food and Nutrition Working Group, concluded at Mersin University. During the two-day symposium, the effects of pesticides on food safety, public health, the environment, and agricultural policies were comprehensively evaluated in light of scientific data.
The study titled “From Presence to Power: Women Leading in Science,” featured in the 2026 global report prepared by the Inter-Academy Partnership (IAP), highlights women who shape scientific institutions, advance research, and guide future generations. TÜBA Full Member Prof. Dr. K. Arzum Erdem Gürsan was included in the study among scientists who have attained leadership positions despite persistent structural barriers.
