Food safety is the assurance that food will not cause harm, illness, or death to the consumer when it is properly prepared and consumed. According to the latest World Health Organization estimates on the global burden of foodborne diseases, more than 866 million people fell ill in 2021 due to the consumption of unsafe food contaminated with bacteria, viruses, parasites, or chemical substances, resulting in 1.52 million deaths. The heaviest burden of foodborne diseases falls on children under five, as well as on low- and middle-income countries, where the consequences of unsafe food are most pronounced.

Shymkent, Kazakhstan — A regional workshop on water quality standards and laboratory methods was held on June 3–4, 2026. The event was organized by the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC) as part of the “Blue Peace Central Asia” (BPCA) with the support of the local partner, the State Enterprise “Kazhydromet” for the Turkestan Region. The workshop was intended for the Regional Working Group on Water Quality (RWG-WQ), which brings together leading experts on water quality from the region’s hydrometeorological services, relevant ministries, and academic institutions.