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October 2007

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Biotechnology and Biosafety for Agriculture and Environment Workshop held in Syria
Representatives and scientists from ministries of agriculture and environment from 16 countries and three international organizations participated in the “Regional Consultation on Biotechnology and Biosafety for Agriculture and Environment in the West Asia and North Africa Sub-region,” held at ICARDA, Aleppo, Syria, 8-10 September. The objective of this workshop was to develop, through a participatory approach, a proposal for an integrated regional framework on biotechnology and biosafety involving major stakeholders.
Taymour Nasr El-Din, Director, Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI), Egypt, said that the work on developing biosafety regulations had started early in Egypt with assistance from USAID. “Egypt could contribute to the regional biosafety framework through its experience in technical aspects of handling transgenic material. We have trained staff and accumulated knowledge in this field,” he said.
It was apparent from the presentations of country representatives that so far no transgenic crop variety has been commercialized in the participating countries. The consultation concluded by forming a follow-up committee representing all stakeholders, to develop a regional project for GEF’s consideration to enhance capacity in biotechnology and biosafety as well as to harmonize biosafety regulations across West Asia and North Africa. The participants unanimously commended the outcome of the consultation.