BACSA International Conference in Sericulture
On April 1-7, 2017, the city of Sheck, Azerbaijan, The 8th International Conference of Black and Caspian Sees and Central Asia Countries Association (BACSA) was held on the topic: Change of Climate and Pesticides – New Challenges in Sericulture”.
The participants of the Conference were the researchers, businessmen, and representatives of cooperatives from different countries: Bulgaria, Rumania, Turkey, Georgia, Azerbaijan, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmen, China, Thailand and Cuba. From Georgia, Academician of GAAS, Elguja Shapakidze, N. Baramidze, the Chief specialist of Scientific- Research Center, Agricultural University, the Head of Sericulture laboratory I. Gujabidze and Z. Tskuruashvili took part in the work of the Conference. The Conference was opened by the president of BACSA, Prof. P. Cenov ( Bulgaria) who made a panel presentation: “ The Affect of Climate Change on Sericulture of Caucasus Region and Central Asia”.
All participants of the Conference presented their articles and made important suggestions. Academician Shapakidze’s paper dealt with the problems of sericulture development in Georgia: “Sericulture – Yesterday, Today and Tomorrow.” On the second day of the Conference, Acad. Shapakidze delivered his second article on “Modern Innovative Technologies and Technical Means in Sericulture” which raised live interest among 
Conference participants. The Conference summarized the achievements in sericulture, also expressed the opinion that it is important to render active support to the republics which were producers of silk during the Soviet Union period, namely to: Georgia, Azerbaijan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Ukraine.
The Conference addressed China and Thailand to support the above mentioned countries in revival and development of sericulture. Within the framework of the Conference, a seminar in Shack Sericulture factory was held. Modern technologies for silk thread spinning and for dying were demonstrated.
On decision of BACSA Executive Committee, an official address to Georgian Prime Minister was worked out to get a formal agreement from the Government of Georgia regarding the support of the 9th International Conference of BACSA, which is planned to take place in Georgia. In case the problem is positively solved, Georgia will have an opportunity to stimulate the development of the branch of sericulture in Georgia.
Photos: From Left: BACSA President Prof. P. Cenov, Dr. N. Baramidze and Acad. E. Shapakidze.
On March 29-30, Vinitsa (Ukraine), Agrarian University hosted the 9
Photo: From Left: Grigori Kaletnic, The President of Agrarian University, Vinitsa; Anatoli Giorgadze, The Deputy President of GAAS, Viktor Mazuri – The Rector of National Agrarian University of Vinitsa. 
The Agenda: 
The Seminar participants were congratulated with the Day of Forest preservation by the Vice Rector, who spoke about its importance. He spoke about the present condition of the Georgian forests and assessed the effectiveness of on-going measures taken in regards with improvement of Georgian forests. Particular role in this direction plays Georgian Academy of Agricultural Academy and its Forest studies Departments which hold close cooperation with government institutions and defines the ways to optimize and improve the forest management problems. 
The participants of the seminar took active part in the discussion of the problems and expressed their considerations regarding the issues raised during the seminar. 
In the beginning of the meeting, the president of GAAS told the participants about the history of the Academy, its structure, main directions in scientific work, the activities carried out by the Courses of Raising Qualification of Farmers and Specialists working in Agriculture which is functioning at GAAS; The president also shared the future plans of the Academy and mentioned that it is very important for the students to attend the Scientific Meeting of the Academy which will lay a foundation for development of council of young researchers in agriculture.
On March 9, 2017, 