Avian influenza outbreak preparedness
FAO, Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture and Disease Investigation Centre (DIC) Wates/Influenza Virus Monitoring (IVM) focal point hosted the IVM management meeting from 28 to 29 March 2023 with funding support from USAID. The meeting discussed some major issues surrounding avian influenza (AI), particularly the reported case of AI H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b in 2022 on a duck farm in Kalimantan. DIC Wates’ virus characterization confirmed the presence of H5N1 clade 2.3.4.4.b within the samples taken from South Kalimantan by DIC Banjarbaru. Moreover, the current AI vaccine used in Indonesia is likely to have a low level of protection against this new type of virus. The meeting recommended the Centre for Quality Testing and Certification of Veterinary Drugs conduct further characterization on clade 2.3.4.4.b virus isolate and Pharmacy Veterinary Centre to prepare the prototypes for new vaccine candidates. Other DICs and local government services are also encouraged to report any new cases related to this new virus type.

The last preparatory committee meeting of ACCAHZ
FAO, through the SMART-ASEAN project, provided support at the Twentieth ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Animal Health and Zoonoses (ACCAHZ) Preparatory Committee Meeting from 27 to 28 March 2023—this was noted as the last meeting before the establishment and the convening of the first meeting of the ACCAH Governing Board later this year. In the meeting, the operationalization process of ACCAHZ was discussed. The ASEAN Member States appreciated FAO's long-standing support and commitment to establishing ACCAHZ, and thanks also to the Australian Government through DFAT for the financial support.

Development of presidential regulation on national animal health system (NAHS)
In collaboration with MoA, FAO through USAID funding held the second workshop to develop a draft for implementing NAHS, also known locally as Siskeswannas, which will be ratified as a presidential regulation. NAHS is a comprehensive framework encompassing policies and programs to promote animal health and welfare, control animal diseases, ensure food safety and protect public health. The meeting participants, which included the Ministry of National Development Planning, the Ministry of Finance and the Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs established an action plan and timeline to develop comprehensive and internationally standardized NAHS legislation. The workshop also included a presentation outlining each institution's perspective and recommended approach MoA can adopt to establish this presidential regulation. All parties agreed to prepare policy papers for the ministerial level. The next workshop will take place in May.

Update meeting with DFAT and ASEAN
The SMART-ASEAN project held the quarterly update meeting in-person on 29 March 2023. The meeting discussed the implementation of the project, including the project no-cost extension for another year. The no-cost extension will bolster collaboration and coordination of the project with ASEAN to strengthen ASEAN animal health mechanisms.

Pandemic Fund proposal development
FAO met with the World Bank in East Asia Pacific and country offices from the Philippines, Mongolia, and Indonesia and Timor-Leste on 29 March 2023. The representatives discussed partnerships for Pandemic Fund proposal development in the respective countries.

FAO concludes collaboration with Chulalongkorn University (CU)
The CU recently completed the delivery of outputs of its third Letter of Agreement (LoA) with FAO though USAID funding. CU, a globally designated FAO Reference Centre for AMR, was able to reinforce and complement FAO effort in further strengthening AMR surveillance and research in the region. Some of the outputs and activities from this LoA included analysis of regional and national AMR data; stakeholder mapping on AMR surveillance in food and agriculture; online regional training on surveillance of AMR in bacteria from healthy food animals; online training on the use and application of molecular techniques and bioinformatics in AMR; organization of the first-ever online regional research conference on AMR and AMU in food animals; pilot study for the development of regional multi-centre for antimicrobial susceptibility testing of Campylobacter spp. and Enterococcus spp.; and proficiency testing for antimicrobial susceptibility testing (PTAST) as well as post-PTAST consultation and other backstopping activities.

Webinar on antimicrobial susceptibility testing
The Federation of Asian Veterinary Association (FAVA), with support from FAO and USAID, organized a webinar on antimicrobial susceptibility testing of priority animal pathogens in the Asia-Pacific region. The event was held on 5 April 2023 with speakers from Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute, CU, FAVA and FAO. The speakers briefed participants on antimicrobial susceptibility testing of veterinary pathogens and the importance of the generated AMR data for antimicrobial stewardship in veterinary settings, an overview of relevant FAO initiatives in this area of work, the similar experience of laboratory network set-up for AMR surveillance in France, and the importance and plan to establish a veterinary network for AMR surveillance in priority veterinary pathogens in the region. Around 348 participants from around the globe registered for the webinar.

Quarterly review of ASF activities held
The quarterly review of the ROK-funded project to strengthen capacity to control African swine fever and other high-impact transboundary animal diseases in Asia was held on 5 April 2023. The review covered the first quarter of 2023. FAO briefed the ROK Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs on works done in the first quarter, including the project achievements, and works planned by the end of the year in Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao People’s Democratic Republic and the Philippines.

Development of model action plans for biosecurity model pig farms in Viet Nam
In March 2023, a team of technical experts from the National Agriculture Extension Center (NAEC) and FAO visited selected pig farms in Ha Nam and Thai Nguyen provinces to develop biosecurity model action plans. The model farms will enhance biosecurity and good farm management practices towards reducing disease risks and antimicrobial use in small and medium-scale pig farms. With financial support from USAID, FAO and NAEC will continue to support the pig biosecurity models in 2023 and 2024.