Science for Development. Our Vision is to be the world’s leading intergovernmental organisation for research, training and technology transfer in the field of Life Sciences and Biotechnology. Our Mission is to combine scientific research with capacity enhancement, thereby promoting sustainable global development.
The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology ICGEB is an Intergovernmental
ICGEB runs state-of-the-art laboratories located in Trieste, Italy, New Delhi, India and Cape Town, South Africa and forms an interactive network with almost 70 Member States. It plays a key role in Biotechnology to promote Research excellence, Training, and Technology Transfer to industry, contributing in concrete terms to
The ICGEB is governed by the Board of Governors, made up of representatives from each Member State and the Council of Scientific Advisers, composed of eminent scientists who oversee the scientific excellence of the Centre.
Approximately 700 people, from over 40 different countries, work at the ICGEB, of which almost 600 are scientific personnel, including research scientists, postdoctoral fellows,
History
- 1983 – The International Centre for Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology is launched with the signing of its Statutes (the international treaty sanctioning its existence, deposited with the
Secretary General of the United Nations) by 26 countries during a Plenipotentiary Meeting, held in Madrid. - 1984 – The representatives of the Signatory Countries meet in Vienna and decide that ICGEB will be structured with two Components, one located in Trieste, Italy (also to be the Headquarters of the Centre), and one in New Delhi, India, as well as a network of Affiliated Centres.
- 1987 – Pending the entry into force of the Statutes, ICGEB starts operations as a special programme of the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The implementation of the programme is made possible through funds provided by the Host Governments of Italy and India.
- Arturo Falaschi is appointed Head of Trieste Component and on November 25, the first experiment is performed on the premises.
- 1994 – The Statutes of the Centre enter into force on 3 February, establishing an independent, international
organisation . - 2007 – The Third Component of the ICGEB is established in Cape Town, South Africa.
- 2023 – 40 years since the establishment of the ICGEB through the signing of its Statutes by the visionaries who recognised the need for developing and applying peaceful uses of genetic engineering and biotechnology for the benefit of mankind.
- 2025 – the ICGEB counts well over 65 Member States, and burgeoning Regional Research Centres across the globe.
