In this event more than 150 experts from over 20 countries gathered in Almaty for the International Conference «The Future of Biosafety and Biosecurity» to address emerging challenges and opportunities at the intersection of science, technology, and global security.
The event was organized by the International Science and Technology Center (ISTC) and the Biosafety Association for Central Asia and the Caucasus (BACAC), with the support of GIZ, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Ministry of Health of the Republic of Kazakhstan.
Key themes included Artificial Intelligence in biotechnology and biorisk management, synthetic biology and the concept of mirror life, the democratization and governance of biotechnology, climate change and disease surveillance, combating disinformation in biosecurity, and ethics and education in responsible science. The discussions also highlighted data governance, international cooperation, and building trust in science and security.
The conference marked two important milestones: the 50th anniversary of the Biological Weapons Convention (BWC) and the 10th anniversary of ISTC’s presence in Kazakhstan. A major outcome of the event was the «Almaty Call for Action from» – a strategic roadmap to strengthen global collaboration and preparedness for future biological challenges.
