Issyk-Kul Region, June 23–24, 2025 – A two-day consultative working meeting was held in Bulan-Sogottu village as part of the ongoing FAO/GEF project, “Implementation of the National Biosafety Mechanism in the Kyrgyz Republic in accordance with the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.” The event was organized by the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic with support from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Branch of Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia in the Kyrgyz Republic (CAREC).
Held in a hybrid format, the meeting brought together representatives of government institutions, including members of the Inter Ministerial Working Group, experts of the FAO Representative in KR, academia, the business sector, and independent experts in ecology, public health, agriculture, and biotechnology.
Discussions focused on several strategic areas:
- Progress in project implementation during the first half of 2025;
- Kyrgyzstan’s potential accession to the Nagoya-Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol;
- Stakeholder awareness regarding GMOs, and next steps in developing; and
- Promoting by-laws pursuant to the Law “On Biological Safety in the Kyrgyz Republic” concerning the registration, use, and management of GMOs.
Mairambek Aliyev, Head of Flora Department of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic, emphasized the importance of recent legislative advances:
“The recent adoption of the Law on Biological Safety in the Kyrgyz Republic marks a significant milestone in developing a national biorisk management system, including the regulation of GMOs. To support project implementation and enhance interagency coordination, the composition of the Interdepartmental Working Group was updated earlier this year by ministerial decree. We are committed to developing relevant secondary legislation in collaboration with all stakeholders to ensure the effective implementation of the Cartagena Protocol’s provisions.”
The event was particularly symbolic, coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the FAO in 2025. This milestone underscores the critical role of international cooperation in sustainable development, food security, and environmental protection. It also offers a timely opportunity to reflect on FAO’s longstanding impact and outline strategic priorities in the face of evolving global challenges.
Cholpon Alibakieva, FAO Project Manager, highlighted the significance of the meeting:
“This is the first project of its kind not only in Kyrgyzstan, but across the Central-Asian region. Implementing it under the framework of the Cartagena Protocol adds immense value. FAO is pleased to be working in close partnership with both national and regional counterparts. Our collaboration with CAREC has been productive, and we are confident that through collective efforts we can meet all our objectives. Much work remains in translating the Law on Biosafety into practice, and a unified approach is essential for meeting the country’s international commitments.”
International biodiversity expert, Sarah Agapito delivered an in-depth presentation on the Nagoya–Kuala Lumpur Supplementary Protocol, highlighting its importance in strengthening accountability and ensuring redress for damages related to the transboundary movement of living modified organisms. Participants engaged in group discussions to identify legislative gaps concerning liability for harm caused by GMOs, evaluate the feasibility of Kyrgyzstan joining the Supplementary Protocol, and explore the application of strict liability principles and mechanisms for improving public and farmer access to information.
The consultative meeting served as a vital platform for advancing Kyrgyzstan’s biosafety agenda under the Cartagena Protocol. It fostered collaborative dialogue, knowledge exchange, and strengthened interagency cooperation—laying the groundwork for a transparent, evidence-based, and sustainable biorisk management system that prioritizes public health, environmental protection, and compliance with international obligations.
