The Alliance for Commodity Trade in Eastern and Southern Africa (ACTESA), a specialized Agency of COMESA led by its Chief Executive Officer, Dr John Mukuka, had the pleasure of hosting ISAAA AfriCenter, represented by ISAAA Director, Dr Margret Karembu, along with the ISAAA Board Members at the COMESA Secretariat on 25th August 2025. The strategic engagement focused on advancing shared aspirations and objectives of driving sustainable agriculture in the region. Some key highlights of the meeting included;

  1. Effective collaboration on ensuring that the COMESA Biotechnology and Biosafety Implementation Programme drives the development and harmonization of biosafety protocols for Genetically Modified Organisms and other biotechnology products.
  2. Ensuring the safe deployment of biotechnology innovations and standardizing biosafety regulations across COMESA Member States.
  3. Expediting efforts of institutionalizing a Regional Biosafety Risk Assessment Mechanism through the established COMESA Panel of Experts (PoE).

Together, we are taking bold steps toward advancing biotechnology and biosafety in the region to promote increased global and regional trade in genetically modified agriculture products.