The 28th International Horticultural Congress (IHC 2010) opened here Sunday with a focus on the interaction between scientists, producers and consumers in society at large.

The United Nations and governments should take the responsibility of promoting the Millennium Development Goals' agenda and stressed the importance of preserving biodiversity and cultural diversity, said Jorge Sampaio, former Portuguese president and high representative of the United Nations Alliance of Civilizations, in a speech to the opening ceremony.

About 2,000 horticultural experts and scholars from around the world gathered for the event at Lisbon Congress Center.

The IHC Lisbon 2010, which runs through Friday, is organized by the Portuguese Horticultural Association and the Spanish Society of Horticultural Science. Colloquia, seminars, workshops and thematic sessions will be held during the event.

The IHC is held every four years by the International Society for Horticultural Science. The last meeting was held in Seoul, South Korea, in 2006.