A new ICGEB partnership expands scientific capacity, technology transfer and climate-resilient agricultural innovation to help countries strengthen food security, improve nutrition and build resilient livelihoods.
Trieste, Italy, 29 June 2026: The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology (ICGEB) has joined the Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty, reinforcing its commitment to harnessing biotechnology, scientific innovation and international cooperation to help countries tackle two of the world’s most pressing challenges.
By joining the Alliance, ICGEB will contribute its global scientific expertise, technical assistance, capacity building and technology transfer to support countries in developing sustainable, science-based solutions that improve food security, strengthen climate resilience and reduce poverty.
Dr. Lawrence Banks, ICGEB Director-General, comments: “Ending hunger and poverty requires more than increased food production; it requires innovation, scientific capacity and strong partnerships that enable countries to build resilient and sustainable food systems. Through the Global Alliance, ICGEB will work alongside governments and international partners to ensure biotechnology delivers tangible benefits for the communities that need them most.”
ICGEB’s participation brings a unique scientific dimension to the Alliance by helping translate cutting-edge biotechnology into practical solutions for farmers, researchers and policymakers across developing countries. Among its commitments, ICGEB will:
- Support countries through technical assistance, training and scientific capacity building tailored to national priorities.
- Expand access to climate-resilient agricultural technologies that improve productivity while reducing environmental impact.
- Promote the development and deployment of biofortified crops and other biotechnology innovations to improve nutrition and food security.
- Strengthen technology transfer and innovation ecosystems enabling research results to become practical solutions that benefit farmers and local communities.
- Enhance regulatory and biosafety capacities to help countries safely adopt biotechnology and biopesticides.
- Expand fellowships, collaborative research programmes and scientific networks that build long-term expertise across low- and middle-income countries.
A flagship contribution will be ICGEB’s support for country-owned implementation by combining research excellence with practical capacity development. Through its global network of Member States and longstanding partnerships across Africa, Asia, Latin America and Europe, ICGEB will help countries adopt biotechnology solutions that increase agricultural productivity, improve soil health, enhance resilience to climate change and strengthen sustainable food systems.
ICGEB will also contribute expertise through initiatives including technology transfer programmes, collaborative research, biotechnology capacity-building networks, regulatory science, and projects such as Bio Inoculants for Food Security in Africa (B-INOC AFRICA), supporting the development of sustainable agricultural practices and improved livelihoods.
The Global Alliance Against Hunger and Poverty brings together governments, international organizations, financial institutions and other partners to accelerate progress towards Sustainable Development Goals 1 (No Poverty) and 2 (Zero Hunger), while reducing inequalities through coordinated action.
By joining the Alliance, ICGEB strengthens its long-standing mission to place biotechnology at the service of sustainable development, ensuring scientific innovation contributes directly to food security, poverty reduction and resilience for communities worldwide.
