The SAARC Regional expert consultation meeting on “The Progress and Prospects of Agricultural Biotechnology and Bio-safety in South Asia” was organized in Dhaka by SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), Dhaka, Bangladesh in collaboration with South Asia Bio-safety Program (SABP), Bangladesh and International Life Sciences Institute (ILSI) Research Foundation, Washington, USA during 18th to 20th June 2019.

 In the inaugural session on 18th June 2019, Mr. Kamalaranjan Das, Additional Secretary (Research Wing), Ministry of Agriculture, Government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh graced the occasion as the Chief Guest, while Dr M. Shahidur Rahman Bhuiyan, Senior Food Security and Agricultural Policy Advisor, USAID was as the Special Guest. Dr Pradyumna Raj Pandey, Senior Program Specialist, SAARC Agriculture Centre and Programme Coordinator welcome the international and national participants for the Regional Expert Consultation Meeting. During his welcome address, he briefed about the SAARC activities, objectives of the meeting, expectation from country nominated focal persons. The keynote lecture was delivered by Dr Andrew F Roberts, Deputy Executive Director, ILSI Research Foundation, USA, to set the tone for the policy dialogue for the event by introducing the importance of harmonization within South Asia Countries. The Chief Guest of the inaugural session Mr Das informed that the Government of Bangladesh recognizes the potential of agriculture biotechnology, formulated the National Biotechnology Policy, and published in 2018 with the aim to ensure profitable agriculture, nutrition and food security in Bangladesh.  The special guest, Dr Bhuiyan explained various activities of USAID along with the activities of SABP. The inaugural session concludes with the vote of thanks by Dr Aparna Islam, Country Manager, SABP Bangladesh and one of the coordinators of this program. She explained the activities of SABP and continual activities of harmonization within South Asia countries.

Mr Md Samsul Haque, Director General, SAARC and BIMSTEC, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Government of Bangladesh as a chair of the chief guest of the concluding session assured the continuous support to SAC activities from the Government of Bangladesh.  At the end, Dr Pradyumna Raj Pandey extends sincere thanks to all participants from the Member States of SAARC, local participants, colleagues of SAC, BSAP and ILSI Foundation for their significant contributions to make a successful and fruitful program.  Among the participants, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka are participating as national focal point expert from the Member States of SAARC. Besides, more than 30 professionals belonging from national, regional and international organizations located in Dhaka attended the meeting.