Khaoula brings 15 years of experience in the fields of agricultural innovation, private sector and government affairs. Previously she served as government officer within the Federal Office for the Environment, Switzerland, and then later worked as Senior Regulatory Scientist -Scientific Regulatory Affairs & Standards for Philip Morris International. In her role at the FOEN, she was responsible for law adaptation projects related to regulation of new biotechnologies and synthetic biology. She also represented the Swiss Federal Office for the Environment in the United Nations (Biodiversity convention) and in the European Food Security Authority (EFSA, GMO panel).
Khaoula has a degree in Agronomical Engineering-Plant Production & Seed Biotechnology, a Master in Agronomy & Plant Breeding, a PhD in Biology from the University of Fribourg-Switzerland (2009) and a Foundation for Business Leadership Certificate from the IMD Business School (2018) in Lausanne.
The rapid evolution of genome editing technologies is transforming agriculture, offering innovative pathways to enhance food security, climate resilience, and sustainability. As these technologies gain traction globally, the international movement and trade of genome-edited seeds and products face increasing challenges due to regulatory divergence and complex trade environments.
This presentation will explore the urgent need for harmonized, science-based regulatory frameworks that enable safe, transparent, and equitable cross-border exchange. It will shed light on the practical obstacles encountered by developers and researchers and discuss how policy frameworks can remain agile and responsive in the face of scientific progress. Key regulatory gaps and best practices for international alignment will be highlighted, with a focus on fostering innovation while ensuring responsible and sustainable agricultural development.
