ICARDA to Advance Training on Genome Editing (GEd) in Egypt

26–30 April 2026 | Cairo, Egypt — ICARDA, in collaboration with the Agricultural Research Center (ARC), Agricultural Genetic Engineering Research Institute (AGERI) and the Academy of Scientific Research and Technology (ASRT), will support the National Biotechnology Network of Expertise (NBNE) in organizing a five-day workshop titled “Fundamental Applications of Genome Editing and Its Regulation.” The event is partially supported through the Consortium for Red Palm Weevil Control (C4RPWC) project, funded by the Gates Foundation and the UAE International Affairs Office (IAO) of the Presidential Court. It will provide an evidence-based platform to explore genome editing technologies, CRISPR-Cas systems, biosafety and regulatory frameworks, and their potential to enhance productivity and sustainability in Egyptian agriculture, particularly for strategic crops such as wheat and maize. 

Combining plenary sessions with hands-on training, the workshop will bring together scientists, policymakers, regulatory authorities, media professionals, and farmers, among other stakeholders to strengthen capacity, foster cross-sectoral dialogue, and advance coordinated, science-based approaches to agricultural innovation and food security in Egypt and the region.