A leading researcher of the Bioadaptation Laboratory of the Institute of Molecular Biology and Biotechnologies, PhD in biology Gulnara Balakishiyeva was on a scientific mission in Oman on May 22-26. During her visit, G. Balakishiyeva participated in the 5th Conference of the International Working Group of Phytoplasmologists. G. Balakishiyeva chaired the "Phytoplasma diseases of Quarantine importance" session of the conference, and gave an oral report on "Phytoplasma diseases in Azerbaijan: a historical perspective" in the session "Phytoplasma diseases in the world". Our employee was awarded a certificate of distinction for her contributions to the conference and the "Monique Garnier" award for her work in the field of phytoplasma research. It should be noted that among more than 200 participants from different countries at the conference, only two received this award.