Minsk, February 2–8, 2026 — A delegation of Kyrgyz biosafety specialists paid a working visit to the State Scientific Institution "Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus" and its National Coordination Center for Biosafety.

 

The delegation included A.K. Bektemirov, Chief Specialist of the Department of Bioresources and Specially Protected Natural Areas of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic; A.T. Chyngozhoev, Specialist in Risk Assessment, Risk Management, and GMO Monitoring; and N.K. Abdykerimov, Specialist in GMO Detection and Identification.

 

The purpose of the visit was to study the experience of the Republic of Belarus in regulating GMOs, the functioning of the institutional and laboratory biosafety system, and to exchange knowledge on risk assessment and management.

 

During a meeting with the leadership of the Institute of Genetics and Cytology, Kyrgyz specialists were introduced to the structure of scientific departments, key research areas in genetics and biotechnology, and mechanisms for interaction between science and government agencies. The delegation visited the Laboratory of Ecological Genetics and Biotechnology, the Laboratory of Applied Genomics, the Laboratory of Animal Genetics, and the Laboratory of Human Genetics, and also learned about the activities of the Center for Collective Use of Genomes.

 

At thematic seminars, their Belarusian colleagues presented the national GMO regulatory system, the distribution of responsibilities between ministries and agencies, procedures for monitoring, oversight, and confirmation of product conformity, as well as the implementation of the provisions of the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety. Special attention was paid to departmental instructions, interdepartmental coordination, and the national mechanism for exchanging information on biosafety.

 

Kyrgyz specialists studied the experience of the National Coordination Center for Biosafety in the areas of sample collection and preparation, qualitative and quantitative determination of GMOs, and interpretation of laboratory results. They also learned about the work of the Republican Center for Genomic Biotechnology and the training center for GMO identification specialists. During seminars on risk assessment and management, they discussed requirements for risk assessment methods, the structure of GMO risk assessment dossiers, approaches to monitoring the impact of GMOs on the environment and human health, and the possibilities of adapting Belarusian experience to the conditions of the Kyrgyz Republic.

 

A key outcome of the visit was the signing of a scientific cooperation agreement between the State Scientific Institution "Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus" and the Public Foundation "Biosafety Resource Center" of the Kyrgyz Republic. The National Coordination Center for Biosafety of the Republic of Belarus operates within the Institute of Genetics and Cytology.

 

In addition to signing the agreement, the delegation gained a comprehensive understanding of Belarus's national biosafety system, studied the practical experience of accredited GMO detection laboratories, became familiar with mechanisms for interagency cooperation in this area, received methodological materials on risk assessment and monitoring, and established professional contacts for further collaboration.

 

According to the participants, the experience of the Republic of Belarus is of high practical value for improving the biosafety system of the Kyrgyz Republic. Priority areas for further work include developing a national network of GMO identification laboratories, strengthening the regulatory framework for risk assessment and management, implementing specialist training programs and modules, and exploring the possibility of creating or strengthening a national biosafety coordination mechanism. The parties also agreed to continue cooperation with the Institute of Genetics and Cytology of the National Academy of Sciences of Belarus through joint research, internships for specialists, and the exchange of methods and standards.

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