Tashkent, Uzbekistan - 11 December 2024 - The International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA), in collaboration with Uzbekistan’s National Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, launched a week-long training program on Plant Genetic Resources Conservation and Utilization in Tashkent on December 11, 2024. The event brings together over 30 participants from 11 countries across Central Asia, the Caucasus, and the Middle East, including experts, researchers, and representatives from national institutions and international organizations.
The opening was delivered by the Director of Uzbekistan’s National Institute of Plant Genetic Resources, Dr. Shuhrot Otajonov, who highlighted the initiative proposed by the President of Uzbekistan to establish a Regional Genebank for Central Asia, with plans for expansion to the Caucasus and CIS countries. He noted the significant support provided by the Government of Uzbekistan and the World Bank, which includes modernization efforts and the creation of a new Genebank. Dr. Otajonov emphasized the urgent need for such initiatives, as climate change is expected to make agriculture increasingly challenging in Uzbekistan and Central Asia over the next 50 years.
Dr. Zakaria Kehel, Research Team Leader for Genetic Resources at ICARDA, expressed gratitude to the Government of Uzbekistan for hosting the event and reaffirmed ICARDA’s commitment to supporting Uzbekistan’s initiative. He noted that ICARDA has been focused on establishing its Genebank in Morocco after Syrian crisis and, following a six-year pause, is now intensifying efforts in Central Asia and the Caucasus due to the critical role of the region in global food security.
The training aims to strengthen capacity in the conservation and sustainable use of plant genetic resources through a comprehensive program. Key topics include an introduction to genebanks and their operations, strategies for addressing gaps in genetic resource conservation, germplasm health management, and leveraging genomic tools and databases for genetic resource management.
At the invitation of ICARDA, representatives of the Islamic Organization for Food Security (IOFS), Mr. Bakytzhan Arystanbek and Mrs. Makpal Bulatova, Program Managers from the IOFS Projects Department, attended the event.
On the sidelines of the training, the IOFS delegation is holding bilateral meetings with ICARDA experts and representatives of national institutions from OIC member countries. These discussions focus on advancing the IOFS initiative to establish an IOFS International Genebank, a key step in strengthening food security through genetic resource conservation.
The training will conclude on December 17, 2024, with participants receiving certificates of completion and action plans for implementing their learnings in their respective countries.
