Information
about Regional Consultation on CABI - Asia and the Pacific Ocean Cooperation

(October, 16-19, 2018)

      The Conference organizers were CABI  - International Biological Research Organization and Agricultural Academy of Sciences of China. The representatives from the countries with which CABI has signed a mutual agreement regarding joint research activates were present at the Conference.

One of the main directions in CABI researches is invasive varieties and biological measures taken against them, as well as their implementation in practice.

        Among many other countries, the CACAAR  - Association of Central Asia and Caucasus Research Organizations also took place which was represented by Academician G. Aleksidze, the President of GAAS. His presentation dealt with the acute problems, such as pests which damage agricultural crops. The main focus was made on marmorated bug. He addressed the Conference participants to support his initiative regarding application of CABI biological means to fight against the pest which harms agriculture to a large extent in the region. 

         G. Aleksidze also raised the problem of enhancing cooperation between Georgia and CABI.

          The Conference Sessions were directed by one of the leaders of CABI – Dr.Trevor Nickols. The next meeting will be held in England, in September.

         The last day of the Meeting was dedicated to visit to Plant Protection Research Institute of the Academy of Agricultural Sciences of China which raised a live interest among the participants.  

Round Table Discussion at the Academy about Risk Assessment Problems

       On November 16, 2018, a Round Table dedicated to the problems of food safety and risk management was organized by Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences. The Round Table discussions were held with active participation of  Dr. Andreas, Professor of  Consumer Health Safety and Risk Assessment, University of Leipzig; President of German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, Dr. Magnus Jager, Executive Director of the same Institute.

         The Institute works on the problems of health safety problems; it carries out independent scientific studies, assessments of risk related to food and animal forage, chemical substances and other consumer products.

       Being a leading Institute in Germany, it defines the standards of food safety and consumer health protection.  Based on the results of the scientific studies conducted by the institute, the producers and researchers can make scientifically proved decisions.

      The mission of the Institute is to make the world more secure by offering healthy food to population. Its 750 personnel work in nine departments of the Federal Institute. 

                 In the work of Round Table the academicians, professors and administration took part. The meeting was opened by Academician Givi Japaridze,Vice President of the Academy. He spoke about the importance of food safety in Georgia which should be further developed in close cooperation with the leading centers of Europe sharing their experience and considering the world achievements in the area. In the fast developing world, emergence of new risk factors is eternal and health protection by offering to population safe and nutritious food is becoming more complicated and demands a great deal of responsibility from government and research institutions.      

German Federal Institute carries out many activities, namely, it establishes close cooperation with Georgian researchers, provides training of the specialists working in the field, and enhances the opportunity of applying the latest scientific achievements being successfully implemented in food safety system on a national level. 

As it was mentioned in the speech of Acad. G. Japaridze, food safety and risk assessment is one of the major directions of the Academy and it is important to set close cooperation with one of the leading institutes in world to share the new technologies and approaches in this area.  

       The Academy is actively involved in the processes with regards to assessment of food safety, elimination of threats, scientific discussions of the problem, or drafting the new regulations on a state level.

        The speeches were delivered by Academician Zurab Tskitishvili, Secretary of Food Safety and Food Technology Scientific Department who informed the participants about the activities of the Department and emphasized the importance of cooperation in this area, and by Dr. Andreas, President of German Federal Institute for Risk Assessment, who spoke about the achievements Germany has achieved in risk assessment and risk prevention. At the end he wished success to Georgian Colleagues and expressed his wish to continue fruitful cooperation with Georgian counterpart. In the Round Table discussion Georgian academicians Archil Vashakidze, Aleksandre Didebulidze, Professors Anzor Meskhishvili and Ketevan Dadiani took part.

     The Meeting was closed by Academician Givi Japaridze. 

Public Lecture at Georgian Academy of Agricultural Sciences

International Festival of Science and Innovations

Georgia - 2018

On September 27, 2018, a Public Lecture at Georgian Academy of Sciences was delivered on the topics: 1. “Birds and Physics”  - presenter Dr. Marina Barvenashvili and “ Pollution of Environment in Georgia”  - Doctor  of Agricultural Sciences Revaz Lolishvili. The activity was organized within the framework of International Festival of Science and Innovations.

Tbilisi No. 31 public school students of 10-12 grades (Director Marina Nijharadze) attended the lectures who first listened to a welcoming speech of Academician Guram Aleksidze, the GAAS President speaking about the importance of agrarian science and agriculture in Georgia. He wished the students success in learning and education, and expressed his hope that some of them will connect their future higher education and professional development with this area. 

The presentations were dedicated to very interesting and challenging topics and the students were engaged in discussions – asking questions and expressing their opinion. It was clear that the students were eager to listen to professional presenters and state their knowledge and approach with regards to the most acute problems of the world. The students wished they were involved in the projects which deal with pollution of environment, air and water contamination, protection of the nature, flora and fauna.   

  The lecture was summarized by Dr. A. Giorgadze, Deputy of the President of the Academy, the Coordinator of scientific Departments. He expressed hope that the high school students will be actively involved in the projects which will be prepared for the conferences, festivals and other types of activities.

 The School Director Marina Nijharadze thanked to the Administration of the Academy and the presenters, Dr. R. Lolishvili and Dr. M. Barvenashvili for their efforts and their scientific lectures which, at the same time, was accessible and intelligible for high school students. At the end of her speech she expressed her belief that the cooperation and support between the school and the Academy will be extended and will emerge in many interesting mutual projects.