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The agricultural sector in Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan is responsible for 20–50 percent of the population's livelihoods. While the global cultivation of genetically modified (GM) crops is increasing, the authorization for cultivation or import of these crops as food and feed stuffs is not harmonized between countries and is becoming increasingly more complex despite the international agreements, such as the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety (CPB). Additionally, the necessary expertise and facilities for comprehensive assessment and management of risks, related to genetically modified organisms, was lacking in all four countries. This project developed capacities in all four countries, implemented the international obligations and ensured decent livelihoods and food security in rural areas through increased agricultural production. ©FAO/Vyacheslav Oseledko

WHAT DID THE PROJECT DO? KEY FACTS Guidance, training and technical support were provided to a critical Contribution mass of stakeholders from Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and USD 494 000 Tajikistan. Training courses and workshops provided an adequate legislative bases in biosafety, appropriate institutional mechanisms Duration and infrastructure to enforce them, well-trained human resources at October 2015 – December 2017 all levels, easy access to relevant information and informed and coherent actions of institutions and stakeholders. The project Resource Partner FAO addressed and developed regional and country capacities in genome editing and other emerging frontier biotechnologies, and it prepared a Partners follow-up project proposal to enlarge and sustain the results. Capacity Ministry of of the development of the national institutions in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan of Azerbaijan; Committee of was strengthened through involvement in project activities on which Environmental Protection under implementing partners worked together with international experts the Government of the Republic and FAO technical guidance. Additionally, a significant number of Tajikistan; Ministry of Agriculture of partnerships were established among Ministries, academia of the Republic of Kazakhstan; and and extension service providers, among others. the State Agency of Environment Protection and Forestry of the Kyrgyz IMPACT Republic The critical mass of experts that were trained in Azerbaijan, Beneficiaries Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan resulted in a 180 percent Officials in the Ministries, food safety agencies, inspectorates, extension increase of the number of national stakeholders able to apply services, biosafety committees, rural biosafety knowledge, which is key for the effective implementation poor and consumers of national biosafety frameworks. Through increased agriculture productivity, the income of the rural population and food security will be improved in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner that preserves local biodiversity. ACTIVITIES . 42 participants attended training workshops on biosafety regulations and biotechnology and biosafety policy GOALS development. . 29 participants were trained in genetically modified risk analysis, monitoring and inspections. . 40 participants attended biosafety training on general and country-specific issues in Azerbaijan and Tajikistan. . A training course was conducted on inspections, border controls, and emergency response to enforce biosafety laws. . A training course was conducted in genetically modified organism detection, identification and quantification and laboratory accreditation. . A training course was conducted on risk communication, public DEVELOPMENT SUSTAINABLE awareness and participation, Biosafety Clearing House (BCH), biosafety curricula formulation development and updates, national awareness raising and communication. . Information packages and practical manuals were provided to all workshop participants containing guidelines and tools on risk assessment, risk management, monitoring genetically modified organisms, general surveillance, inspections and emergency response. . A draft project document was prepared for a larger project on biosafety that will be funded by the Global Environment Facility (GEF) and will address the most pressing regional needs in biosafety.

©FAO/Vyacheslav Oseledko ©FAO/Oleksandra Novgorodova

Project Code TCP/SEC/3502

Project Title Capacity development in biosafety Contacts FAO Sub regional Office for Central [email protected]

Nevena Alexandrova (Lead Technical Officer) [email protected] Resource Mobilization Division Marketing, Outreach and Reporting Unit [email protected]