16 May 2024, a delegation of RCA National Representatives for the 46th Regional Meeting visited the ICS-IAEA Collaborating Center for Nuclear Techniques in Plant Mutation Breeding, National Center of Space Mutagenesis for Crop improvement, Institute of Crop Sciences (ICS), Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences (CAAS). They are Mr. Gashaw Gbeyehu Wolde, the Director of Division for the Asia Pacific region, Department of Technical Cooperation, International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Ms. Khemphone Phaokhamkeo, RCA Focal Person, Ms. Lili Xiao, Chairman of RCA, Mr. Dar Ki Kim, Director of RCA Regional Office, and representatives from 22 RCA member countries including Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Fiji, Indonesia, Japan, Laos, Malaysia, Mongolia, Myanmar, Nepal, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Republic of Korea, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Thailand, and Vietnam.

Chief Scientist, Executive Director General of ICS, Prof. Luxiang Liu briefed the delegation on the field performance of wheat mutant varieties, development of mutant materials, establishment of new mutagens, and leading IAEA/RCA Projects on plant mutation breeding. Representatives from the RCA participating countries fully recognized the contributions made by ICS in leading the RCA plant mutation breeding projects, promoting the research and development of new mutagenesis technologies, and training young researchers. They hope that ICS will continue to leverage its advantages and take the lead in promoting the application of mutation induction in the Asia Pacific region.