FAO, together with the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture, conducted refresher training on outbreak investigation in South Kalimantan Province from 4 to 8 September to improve rapid detection and emergency response for foot and mouth disease (FMD), lumpy skin disease (LSD) and other infectious animal diseases, such as avian influenza. Twenty-seven animal health officers from all districts and cities in South Kalimantan Province and Disease Investigation Center (DIC) Banjarbaru joined the training. The participants were trained to conduct animal disease outbreak investigations through classroom lectures, group discussions and exercises, sharing experiences and field practice activities. At the same time, the MoA also introduced new technical guidelines for animal disease investigation that are being developed to complement the new MoA Regulation No. 31 Year 2023 on animal disease monitoring and identification. This has enabled the participants to conduct more effective investigations and better report results to their respective veterinary authority officials and the national animal health information system (iSIKHNAS). The training also improved field officers' capacity to detect and respond to diseases rapidly, contributing to strengthening the animal health systems at local and national levels.

Introductory meeting to replicate Community ASF Biosecurity Interventions (CABI) program in West Kalimantan 
As part of the effort to reduce the risk and impact of ASF on smallholder livelihoods, FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), thanks to the support from Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA), Republic of Korea (ROK), held a meeting to introduce and advocate for the implementation of Community ASF Biosecurity Interventions (CABI) in West Kalimantan on 6 September 2023. The CABI concept design was introduced in the meeting to strengthen biosecurity measures for smallholder pig farming through practical guidelines, training packages, and information, education and communication (IEC) materials. Participants also discussed four major challenges, encompassing the issues of a decreased pig population, risk of restocking, socioeconomic problems and the adaptation of the CABI concept in household farms, to identify the priority locations for piloting.

Veterinary epidemiology training and ASF preparedness workshop 
The National ASF Prevention and Control Program of the Bureau of Animal Industry (BAI), together with FAO, Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs Republic of Korea (MAFRA) of the Republic of Korea, and the Philippine College of Veterinary Epidemiologists conducted the Applied Veterinary Epidemiology Training (AVET) and ASF preparedness workshop from 29 August to 1 September 2023. Capacity building of local veterinarians on applied veterinary epidemiology helps bridge gaps in the prevention and response to disease outbreaks in the animal sector. The workshop aimed to develop skills in conducting and implementing epidemiologic studies and ensuring accurate and effective epidemiologic investigations during disease outbreaks.