Workshop and Policy Roundtable
‘Strengthening National Capacity to Address Emerging Biorisks’
15 – 17 June 2026
The workshop and policy roundtable convened key stakeholders from across disciplines to engage in structured discussions on systemic issues related to emerging bio-risks in India, with a particular focus on deliberate and accidental risks that remain underexplored in the Indian context. The event also addressed critical areas such as the AI–biology interface, synthetic biology, and cyber-biosecurity, examining both challenges and potential policy responses.
On 15th June, a dedicated workshop for BFLP participants was conducted. The workshop featured scenario-based exercises for capacity-building on biosafety, biosecurity, and bioethics.
On 16th and 17th June, the participants were joined by invited experts for a policy roundtable, enabling structured, interdisciplinary discussions to examine emerging bio-risks and response strategies further.
The Policy Roundtable was held over five sessions to address different facets of existing and emerging bio-risks.
Session 1: Bio-risks in India: Current Policies and Practices
Session 2: Emerging Risks with Synthetic Biology and Gene Editing
Session 3: AI and Cyber Bio-risks
Session 4: One Health: Addressing Interconnected Bio-risks
Session 5: Building National Capacity and Shaping Global Norms
Event outcomes
One of the most significant outcomes achieved through the workshop and policy roundtable was the development of a ‘Bio-Responsibility Community’ aimed at advancing responsible life-science research.
The event outcomes in the form of a report and a policy statement will be shared subsequently.
The BFLP Workshop and Policy Roundtable is the first step in the Bio-Responsibility Initiative toward strengthening India’s capacity to address emerging bio-risks. By bringing together emerging leaders and experts, the event will foster sustained dialogue, build institutional linkages, and contribute to the development of a robust bio-responsibility framework in India.