FAO emphasizes sustainable dairy practices at Asia Pacific conference
FAO highlighted the role of science, technology, and innovation at the first International Dairy Federation Regional Dairy Conference in Asia Pacific, held in Kochi from 26 to 28 June 2024. The conference was organized by the International Dairy Federation, in collaboration with the National Dairy Development Board and the Ministry of Animal Husbandry and Dairying, and focused on farmer-centric innovations in dairying. FAO Representative in India, Mr. Takayuki Hagiwara, underscored FAO's Strategic Framework 2022-2031, emphasizing its role in promoting sustainable practices and enhancing dairy value chains, while acknowledging the invaluable support from USAID.

Global Health Security Conference 2024 in Sydney
From 16 to 23 June 2024, through funding from USAID, representatives from FAO ECTAD Indonesia and the Directorate of General Livestock and Animal Health Service (DGLAHS) attended the Global Health Security Conference 2024 to present a poster and deliver an oral presentation in Sydney, Australia. The conference aimed to enhance global cooperation in health, utilize the latest health science developments, identify new solutions to overcome health security problems, and build consensus for real action in the field. The Indonesian delegation presented an oral presentation on "Mapping the risk of spread of avian influenza virus in Indonesia using multi-criteria decision modelling" and posters on "Improving the implementation of antimicrobial stewardship and infection prevention and control program in poultry farms for the provision of safe and healthy animal-based food for the community in Indonesia," and "Impact assessment of the Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (FETPV) in Indonesia."

USAID Country Mission visits field programs in Karnali, Nepal
The USAID Country Mission Health team and FAO ECTAD Nepal team participated in a joint field mission in Surkhet and Salyan districts of Nepal to observe the implementation of field-level activities. The mission team participated in the sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting training conducted at the Veterinary Laboratory, Surkhet and awareness training on prioritized zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance for animal and public health professionals in Salyan district of Karnali province.

Cold chain assessment in five provinces conducted
FAO, through the USAID-funded GHSP project supported a series of one-day provincial workshops on cold chain assessments in Sudur Paschim, Bagamati, Koshi, Lumbini and Madhesh provinces during the month of June. The objectives of these workshops were to assess the veterinary cold chain facilities in those provinces, identify gaps and prepare a roadmap for cold chain improvement in the veterinary sector. Officials from DLS, National Vaccine Production Laboratory, Provincial authorities, district chiefs and representatives of local levels participated in the workshop and provided their inputs. The assessment workshops were conducted in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Services.

Simulation trial of the FMD-LSD detection and response training module
On June 20-21, 2024, with support from the Australian Government, FAO ECTAD Indonesia and the Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services held a two-day meeting in Jakarta to test the FMD-LSD detection and response training modules. This meeting followed the previous development of module training for field officers in early June. The meeting aimed to gather feedback for improving the modules based on a test run and familiarize facilitators with the flow of the Training-of-Trainers (ToT) simulation. Approximately five modules were tested, and feedback was collected. Following this, the team will conduct ToT and subnational training for the selected pilot district.

Training on bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing
A refresher training and parallel testing on bacterial isolation, identification, and antimicrobial susceptibility testing (AST) was held for the Regional Animal Disease Diagnostic Laboratory (RADDL) Region 7 in Mandaue City, Cebu on 24 to 28 2024. This is an ongoing initiative by the Bureau of Animal Industry-Animal Disease Diagnosis and Reference Laboratory (BAI-ADDRL) and FAO to standardize bacteriological procedures across RADDLs in the Philippines which is crucial for future nationwide antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance in diseased terrestrial animals. RADDL Region 7 is the 13th laboratory visited among the 16 RADDLs. The activity was successfully conducted with support from the USAID GHS Project and the Fleming Fund Programme of UK Aid.

Sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting trainings for animal health professionals
FAO, through the USAID-funded GHSP project and the Pandemic Fund project, conducted a two–day training on “Sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting” in Dailekh and Ramechhap districts respectively. The objective of this training was to equip animal health professionals working at local levels of Dailekh district of Karnali province with hands-on skills of appropriate sample collection, packaging and dispatch of samples for prompt disease diagnosis. The trainings were conducted during 10-11 June in Surkhet for Dailekh district and 27-28 June in Ramechhap where a total of 36 participants from veterinary hospitals and all the local levels were trained. The training was organized in collaboration with the Department of Livestock Services, Central Veterinary Laboratory and District veterinary laboratory.

Developing teaching materials for zoonoses awareness program for primary school
On 19-21 June 2024, FAO ECTAD Indonesia, in collaboration with the Director of Veterinary Public Health (DVPH), organized a meeting to develop teaching materials for raising awareness of zoonotic diseases among teachers in primary schools in West Java, with funding from USAID. This meeting involved BBGP West Java Province and resulted in the drafting of five modules. These modules covered an introduction to zoonoses, priority zoonotic diseases (rabies, Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, anthrax, leptospirosis, and brucellosis), as well as a strategy for implementing zoonosis awareness through curriculum and integrated teaching modules. The meeting also discussed preparations for an upcoming training session for teachers in West Bandung and Sukabumi districts this July, especially focusing on pre and post-test assessments. .

Awareness on Zoonoses, AMR and One Health during National Veterinary Conference
FAO, through the USAID-funded GHSP project supported a technical session on “Awareness on Zoonoses, AMR and One Health” during the 15th National Veterinary Conference conducted on 7-8 June in Sauraha, Chitwan. The objective of this session was to raise awareness of veterinarians on zoonoses, AMR and One Health and the role veterinarians can play in these areas. FAO ECTAD Nepal’s Team Leader gave a talk highlighting global and national scenarios of zoonoses, AMR and One Health and FAO technical assistance to the Government of Nepal in animal health strengthening of Nepal. The technical session was chaired by Dr. Umesh Dahal, Director General, Department of Livestock Services. More than 300 public and private veterinarians attended the conference.

Ninth meeting of the standing group of experts on ASF for Asia and the Pacific
FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health co-organized the ninth meeting of the standing group of experts on African swine fever for Asia and the Pacific. The meeting was held from 25 to 27 June in Makati, Philippines in collaboration with the Bureau of Animal Industry of the Philippine Department of Agriculture and focused on risk communication and community engagement (RCCE). The meeting, which was organized under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) initiative, was attended by representatives from Member Nations, WOAH delegates and Chief Veterinary Officers, observers and subject matter experts from the World Health Organization Regional Office for Western Pacific. FAO ECTAD team members from RAP and the Philippines provided technical support and facilitated sessions particularly on RCCE and behaviour change communication. The participants agreed to forward several recommendations including strengthening RCCE capacities in countries. The event was made possible through the financial support from Republic of Korea Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (ROK MAFRA) and the People’s Republic of China’s Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs (PRC-MARA).