A new EU-funded project on biosafety and biosecurity kicks off in Bishkek

The objective of this project, denominated P53, is to provide specialized training on bio-safety and bio-security in Central Asian countries and to strengthen the relevant national legal framework. In this respect, it will help the participating countries to fulfil their international obligations to harmonize national bio-safety and bio-security legal frameworks with the World Health Organisation’s International Health Regulation (WHO IHR), Biological Weapons Convention (BWC), and Codex Alimentarius food safety laws.  Furthermore, P53 aims to assist raising local bio-safety and bio-security training to international standards, while stimulating regional cooperation on relevant issues. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Health, the Academy of Science and other relevant agencies and ministries.

The project was conceived and funded within the framework of the EU CBRN CoE (www.cbrn-coe.eu) initiative. The CoE currently covers 8 regions and 54 partner countries. The EU CBRN CoE Secretariat for Central Asia is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It works in partnership with countries to encourage local ownership of CBRN action plans, policies and joint preparation of regional project proposals.

The ISTC, implementer of P53, has funded and managed several hundred projects in Central Asia over the past 20 years. Expertise to implement P53 is provided by a UK-led consortium of international legislative experts (SCJS, VERTIC), and bio-safety and bio-security training experts (PHE, RIVM).

The EU welcomes the interest and active collaboration of the Kyrgyz partners on bio-safety and bio-security issues. The EU seeks the cooperation of the Kyrgyz Republic on the Centres of Excellence initiative, urging the nomination of a National Focal Point. This will allow to futher coordinate and progress in helping to mitigate the CBRN risk for the Kyrgyz population and the whole region.