Launch meeting of the African swine fever partnership platform
FAO, in collaboration with the Trust in Animals and Food Safety Forum, organized the launch meeting for the African swine fever (ASF) partnership platform in Bangkok between 12 and 13 June. The platform facilitates the sharing of experiences and practical solutions between stakeholders and serves as a source of reliable information for the public. The event introduced and gathered feedback on the ASF partnership platform and facilitated technical insights sharing between government and private sectors on ASF management since its 2018 impact on Asia. FAO extends sincere appreciation to the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA) and the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MAFRA) for their financial support.

Providing technical support in drafting communication strategy
FAO RAP provided technical support to the Philippine government early this June to refine their communication strategy. The activity, funded by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs of the Republic of Korea (MAFRA), is the culmination of several backstopping missions in the past few months as part of the support to the Philippines after the government’s request for assistance in revising its ASF communication strategy. Key outputs from the workshop include the agreement on next steps in the completion of the ASF communication strategy and agreed outline of the strategy.

Exhibition and discussion forum on the taste of Khmer agricultural products
In early June, the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries, with the esteemed patronage of Cambodia’s First Lady, Lok Chumteav Dr Pich Chanmony, and partners including FAO and USAID, launched the Khmer villages exhibition and discussion forum on the taste of Khmer agricultural products. This event aimed to support local agriculture and provide a platform for collaboration among stakeholders in the food and beverage and hospitality sectors. FAO’s One Health and livestock production mascot, Super Chicken, drew attention, raising awareness of avian influenza control and prevention among government officials and the public. Read more here.

Coordinating animal health activities in the Pacific
Following the launch of the USAID Global Health Security (GHS) project in Fiji earlier this year, FAO RAP travelled to Fiji to support the team in consulting with stakeholders and developing the next year’s work plan. With many partners working in the Pacific, FAO is ensuring the coordination of efforts and met with USAID, World Health Organization (WHO) and The Pacific Community to discuss the GHS project activities in Fiji. FAO also met with Fijian government stakeholders to better understand how the project can support strengthening Fiji’s animal health system.

Coordination meeting on national zoonosis and emerging infectious disease information system
From 13 to 14 June, FAO and the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs (CMHDCA) held a coordination meeting in Bogor to discuss the activation of the National Zoonosis and Emerging Infectious Diseases Information System (SIZE) at the subnational level. Supported by USAID, participants included representatives from various ministries. The meeting focused on reviewing SIZE activation progress, developed a work plan, and evaluated SIZE operations. Participants agreed on a timeline for developing a module, conducting refresher training, implementing training at provincial levels, activating SIZE in specific regions, and conducting pilot district training along with discussing the systems monitoring and evaluation.

Coordination meeting with the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs
On 7 June, FAO and CMHDCA, with USAID support, held a coordination meeting to align project activities and establish a collaborative framework for the GHS project 2023-2027. This meeting facilitated the smooth initiation of the 2023-2027 project and ensured compliance with CMHDCA’s protocols. Participants agreed on the monitoring and evaluation framework, operational framework for project administration, operations and resource mobilization. Additionally, they agreed on the work plan for 2024 and provided initial information on the work plan for 2025. .

The first private sector engagement in combating antimicrobial resistance
FAO, in collaboration with the Food Safety and Standards Authority of India and the National Food Laboratory in Chennai, conducted the first of three sessions event titled “Working together to fight antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in Asia and the Pacific” on 13 June in Coimbatore. Funded by the European Union (EU), the session was organized under the EU Tripartite AMR project, and aimed to increase private sector engagement in combating AMR. Over 50 participants, including poultry producers, integrators, processors, feed manufacturers, chick suppliers, fast food retailers, poultry farmers and poultry antibiotics and medicine manufacturers attended the workshop.

Monitoring and evaluation of Field Farmers School in East Lampung
From 5 to 7 June, FAO and the Indonesian Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), with funding from FAO HQ, conducted monitoring and evaluation activities in Lampung to assess the progress and challenges of the RENOFARM (reduce the need for antimicrobials in agrifood systems) programme through Field Farmers School. They evaluated its implementation, assessed infection and control practices using a poultry biosecurity plan checklist, distributed biosecurity signs and tools and guided farmers in effective infection and control practices. Monitoring pilot farms followed baseline data collection from 50 poultry farms in East Lampung in January. Farmers shared feedback in focus group discussions. MoA and FAO observed project impacts and challenges and participants completed biosecurity checklists.

Formation of West Java TIKORDA discussed
FAO and CMHDCA held a meeting with West Java Provincial Government, cross ministries and stakeholders to discuss details regarding the formation and operationalization of West Java TIKORDA (subnational coordination team) to enhance zoonoses and emerging infectious diseases prevention and control efforts. This occasion was supported by USAID and was a follow-up from the previous meeting on signing of the commitment pledge by representatives from West Java province, West Bandung district and Sukabumi district.

Expert consultation on developing foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease control roadmap
From 13 to 14 June, FAO and MoA held a consultation meeting to develop a foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) vaccine disposal standard operating procedure and a national lumpy skin disease (LSD) control roadmap. With funding from the Australian Government, the participants discussed FMD vaccine disposal standard operating procedure using COVID-19 and polio vaccine disposal materials from MoA and WHO as references. The team and MoA experts drafted the proposals, planning to finalize them in the coming months.

Zoonoses awareness programme for school students in West Java
On 12 June, FAO, CMHDCA and MoA visited the West Java regional secretary office to discuss the expansion of the zoonoses awareness programme in primary and secondary education, supported by USAID. The meeting agreed that FAO and MoA would collaborate with the government in West Java to create a zoonoses awareness module for the school health unit programme, supporting the healthy schools campaign.