The introductory workshop was held on December 2, 2021 and provided a platform for discussing the fundamentals of laboratory safety, with presentations on concepts of biosafety in the context of genetically engineered organisms and interactive sessions to spur collaboration. This discussion on biosafety compliance continued during the second workshop, which included opportunities for participants to exchange ideas and ask questions.

The third workshop introduced capacity-building exercises on developing standard operating procedures for greenhouse work and key considerations for the containment and management of genetically engineered crops. The fourth workshop focused on confined field trials (CFTs), with presentations on planning and conducting a CFT, the application process for CFTs and the requirements in Bangladesh, and more.

Participants learned to put together regulatory submissions, write meaningful dossiers, and submit them to regulatory authorities at the fifth workshop. They also gained insights on data requirements for both food safety assessment and environmental risk assessment, best practices in regulatory dossier development, and how to support product developers in preparing dossiers for submission. The concluding session took place on February 25, 2023 to recognize those who completed the entire training program, as well as participants who attended some of the sessions.

AFSI is delighted to announce the recipients of the ISBR 2023 Travel Grant Award, which is managed in cooperation with ISBR. The grants will cover the cost of economy class airfare, registration to ISBR 2023, accommodation during the symposium, and daily expenses, as well as any visa fees required for entry into the United States. This program is sponsored through a generous donation from CropLife International and provided to developing country scientists and regulators.