Dear reader,

This issue of the Drumbeat comes at the heels of Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-OEWG-4) meeting in Nairobi Kenya. At the conclusion of the meeting on June 26, Governments that were represented in the meeting advanced text of landmark global agreement on biodiversity, marking final preparation steps in negotiations on assortment of topics to be concluded at COP 15 in Montreal in December. Notably the topic on access to digital sequence information from genetic resources and how to share the benefits from their use was addressed, and hopefully it is the precursor to agreements in the upcoming 10th meeting of the Conference of the Parties serving as the meeting of the Parties (COP/MOP) to the Cartagena Protocol on Biosafety.

In the story of the month, Dr. Paul Chege of ISAAA AfriCenter shares his insights on why young scientists, communicators, and aspiring future scientists' active participation in international biosafety negotiations such the COP/MOP need to be supported, to nurture and harness their willingness and capability to be torchbearers for science and innovation. He opines that their unique participation, sometimes through showcasing their innovations would be key in demonstrating their aspiration to solve world environmental problems and their commitment to responsible innovations.

Further, listen to the voice of Dr. Rufus Ebgba, Nigeria Biosafety Management Authority sharing his thoughts on the need for enhancing Africa's capacity for biosafety negotiations and other matters in the video of the month.

Find out more on the Open-Ended Working Group on the Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework (WG2020-OEWG-4) at the in our newsroom section. We also inform you on the revision of a gazette notice that required GM feed imports to be 100% non GMO based following successful outreach including a national dialogue organized by OFAB Kenya and partners. Also, find out about One Health stakeholder net mapping exercises across different African countries spearheaded by ISAAA AfriCenter.

ISAAA Africenter is pleased to share with you their 2021 annual report in the Publications Corner and thank you for your continued support. Also shared with you is the Communication and Genome Editing Africa Trends & Perspectives booklet that highlights the genome editing based projects in Africa. We invite African researchers in genome editing to publicise their work through this periodical.

In the publications and announcements segment, we bring to your attention The potential of genome editing for sustainable African agriculture, a VIB conference series, running on June 30 - July 1, 2022 in Brussels, Belgium.

OFAB-Kenya is glad to announce the 2022 call for participation in the annual OFAB Media Awards, find the link in the newsroom and announcement section.

Enjoy your read and stay healthy!