Establishing botanical gardens is vital for preserving plant diversity and fostering environmental awareness and education. The International Training Course on Botanical Garden Development and Management, organized by the Asian Division of the International Association of Botanical Gardens, aims to strengthen the knowledge, practical skills and networking needed for developing and managing botanical gardens across Asia. This training focuses on the importance of botanical gardens as centers for conservation, research, horticulture and education. Since 2016, the Asian Division has organized eight training courses on Botanical Garden Development and Management, training a total of 146 participants from 26 countries.

Held during 1–20 September 2025 at Shanghai Chenshan Botanical Garden, Shanghai, China, the training programme brought together 19 participants from Azerbaijan, Sri Lanka, Thailand, Turkey, Indonesia, Kyrgyzstan, Malaysia, India, Jordan, Pakistan, Philippines, Mongolia, Bangladesh and Uzbekistan. With a mix of theoretical knowledge and hands-on practical experience, the training focused on strategic development of botanical gardens, botanical garden design, landscaping, the development of nurseries, flower production, herbaceous border design, and the role of conservatories, seed banks and herbaria in plant conservation. Participants were engaged in detailed case studies highlighting the role of botanical gardens in conserving threatened species, promoting ecological research, and creating public awareness about plant conservation. Guided tours and visits to Shanghai Botanical Garden and Nanjing Botanical Garden Memorial Sun Yat-Sen in Jiangsu province provided participants with insight into the practical application of botanical garden development concepts. Field trips offered hands-on training in plant identification, specimen preparation and the art of Penjing, a traditional form of plant display. Participants observed successful conservation and reintroduction efforts of native species within curated garden environments, gaining practical experience in plant collection, herbarium preparation and designing educational displays for conservation. By integrating both the theoretical and practical aspects of botanical garden management, this course gave participants the tools to establish and enhance botanical gardens in their respective countries.

The course equipped participants with the tools needed to promote plant conservation, public engagement, and sustainable horticultural practices, while laying the groundwork for continued cooperation and innovation across Asia. Through presentations and final group reports, trainees demonstrated their ability to apply the knowledge gained, proposing strategies for botanical garden development in their home countries. The International Training Course on Botanical Garden Development 2025 reinforced the growing recognition of these gardens as key centers for conservation and research in Asia.