Environmental Group Joins Malawi's National Panel on Biosafety Regulation
LILONGWE, Malawi- A prominent environmental organisation with nearly three decades of conservation experience joined Malawi's biotechnology oversight committee Friday, strengthening the nation's framework for regulating genetically modified organisms, writes Tionge Hara.
Charles Mkoka, executive director of the Coordination Union for the Rehabilitation of the Environment (CURE), took the oath of office as the newest member of the National Biosafety Regulatory Committee (NBRC).
CURE, established in 1994 and formally registered in 1999, serves as an apex environmental institution coordinating efforts between NGOs, government agencies, and donors in Malawi's natural resources sector.
The 14-member NBRC, operating under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Climate Change, evaluates biotechnology and GMO safety.
CURE joins representatives from various government ministries, departments, and non-governmental organizations on the committee.
The organisation brings technical expertise developed through its mission of promoting "effective management of Malawi's environment and natural resources in a participatory and sustainable manner," according to official documents.
CURE's appointment expands the committee's capacity to assess environmental impacts while pursuing its vision of "a sustainable environment that supports community livelihoods."