European Union project discussed

Further plans for the supply of mobile laboratories and preparatory training have been discussed within the framework of the European Union Project 53 “Strengthening the National Legal Framework and Provision of Specialized Training on Bio-Safety and Bio-Security in Central Asian Countries” as part of the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN CoE).

The event was attended by representatives from the State Committee of Industrial Safety, the Regional Secretariat of the Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence (CBRN CoE) for Central Asia, the Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan, partner countries of the Central Asian region and the countries of South-Eastern and Eastern Europe, the European Delegation and the European Union.

According to the Press Service of the State Committee of Industrial Safety of the Republic of Uzbekistan, the participants got acquainted with future preparatory activities, in particular in such areas as:

various biosafety/safety training activities focused on specific target groups (medical personnel, law enforcement authorities, etc.);

diagnostics for Covid-19 with a focus on various methods, quality control measures and sustainability;

organization of translation/interpretation for training activities by other international organizations such as WHO and/or other EU programs/projects;

training in creating interactive, captivating online content (training videos, courses, etc.);

creating an interregional discussion forum that allows professionals to ask their colleagues questions on technical issues related to Covid-19.

It is envisaged that the above-mentioned activities will be conducted by regional experts and, if necessary, international experts will be involved to provide support. The key challenge will not be the duplication of activities carried out by other international organizations/ funding organizations, especially WHO and other EU projects, but an addition to ongoing activities.

It is important to note that the organization of the above-mentioned events will be very useful for specialists of the Scientific Research Institute of Epidemiology, Microbiology and Infectious Diseases, as well as the Scientific Research Institute of Virology of the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Uzbekistan in the fight against the current pandemic.

In addition, it is planned to organize a conference on “Challenges for Biosafety and Biosecurity: Lessons learned from the crisis, caused by COVID-19”.

The conference will be organized in close collaboration between the European Union Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear Risk Mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN CoE) and the Biosafety Association for Central Asia and the Caucasus (BACAC) after the stabilization of the situation associated with the pandemic.

UzA