Under the EU funded Project 53 (P53), part of the EU Chemical Biological Radiological Nuclear and risk mitigation Centres of Excellence Initiative (EU CBRN CoE), a ceremony for the handover of laboratory equipment was conducted on 30 April 2019 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The ceremony was organized by Project 53 Implementation Unit in close cooperation with National Biosafety Committee and Ministry of Environment and Tourism of Mongolia.

In 2016 Mongolia became partner country of the EU CBRN CoE P53. This project, which is titled ‘Strengthening the National Legal Framework and Provision of Specialized Training on Bio-Safety and Bio-Security in Central Asian Countries’ carried out numerous biosafety and biosecurity trainings in Mongolia, as well as working group meetings of experts dedicated to legislative component of the project. 

The handover of the laboratory equipment, purchased under the Project 53, took place at the Blue Sky hotel, Ulaanbaatar. The event was inaugurated by Hon. Lkhamjav BYAMBASUREN, Deputy Minister, Health, Member of National Biosafety Committee (NBC). The EU side was represented by H.E. Traian Laurentiu HRISTEA, Ambassador of European Union Delegation to Mongolia.

The ceremony was attended as well by Mr. Tsegmid TSENGEL, State Secretary of Ministry of Environment and Tourism, Ms. Sandagdorj BAYARKHUU, General Secretary, National Biosafety Committee of Mongolia, Head, Members and Secretary of the NBC and representatives of the Institutions that will receive the equipment.

During the meeting P53 Project Implementation Unit presented the latest project achievements such as the obtaining of certificates of Competence in Delivery of Biosafety and Biosecurity Training by Mongolian P53 trainers and engineers .

The Project 53 was conceived and funded within the framework of the EU CBRN CoE (www.cbrn-coe.eu) initiative. The CoE currently covers 8 regions and 61 partner countries. The EU CBRN CoE Secretariat for Central Asia is based in Tashkent, Uzbekistan. It works in partnership with countries to encourage local ownership of CBRN action plans, policies and joint preparation of regional project proposals.

The ISTC, implementer of P53, has funded and managed several hundred projects in Central Asia over the past 20 years. Expertise to implement P53 is provided by a UK-led consortium of international legislative experts (SCJS, VERTIC), and bio-safety and bio-security training experts (PHE, RIVM).