Technical consultation on Global Health Security Program
FAO in collaboration with United States Agency for International Development (USAID) and the Ministry of National Food Security and Research held a project consultation workshop for the project titled technical assistance for animal health systems to address emerging and priority zoonotic diseases and health threats in Pakistan on 15 May 2024. Representatives from human health, animal health, wildlife and the environment participated in this consultation, which marks a significant step towards a healthier and more secure future by strengthening animal health systems to reduce the risks and impacts of zoonoses, emerging diseases, and bio-threats through a One Health and an inclusive approach. Read the news here.

USAID stocktaking in the animal health sector in Viet Nam
FAO is collaborating with USAID to assess efforts aimed at strengthening the country’s ability to prevent, detect and respond to zoonotic disease outbreaks. USAID’s Global Health Bureau members visited Viet Nam from 13 to 22 May 2024, to review achievements, identify gaps and plan future activities to enhance the fight against zoonotic diseases in the country. This collaboration underscores a proactive approach to global health security, stressing technical cooperation and continued investment in animal health systems to protect communities.

FAO and Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying collaborate to strengthen the animal health sector
FAO organized a one-day consultation on 7 May 2024 with senior officials from the Department of Animal Husbandry and Dairying (DAHD) to discuss ongoing and future collaborative initiatives of FAO and the Government of India. The meeting welcomed the highest representation of DAHD, Secretary Alka Upadhayay, Joint Secretary Sarita Chauhan, and Animal Husbandry Commissioner Dr Abhijit Mitra. FAO Representative in India, Takayuki Hagiwara, reiterated FAO’s technical support to the government to address key challenges, promote innovation and ensure the well-being of the country's livestock and poultry industry.

Participating in the bilateral FAO-USAID Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning meeting
FAO RAP participated in the bilateral FAO-USAID Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning technical meeting held at the FAO headquarters from 8 to 10 May 2024. It was organized with the objectives of reviewing last year's data as well as reporting progress and making recommendations for the ongoing fiscal year. Along with providing an opportunity to share monitoring and evaluation inputs from the field with the donors, the meeting also allowed both FAO and USAID to align their understanding on the utilization of information and data collected from the field.

Ninth meeting of the global leaders group on AMR
From 6 to 7 May 2024, Indonesia’s Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) shared their experience in building sustainable farming and efforts to control antimicrobial resistance (AMR) in the livestock and animal health services at the Ninth Meeting of the Global Leaders Group on AMR in Sweden. This event, organized by the Quadripartite—FAO, United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), World Health Organization (WHO) and World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)—gathers global leaders to advise and advocate on AMR issues. The Director-General of Livestock and Animal Health Services MoA emphasized that Indonesia recognizes the magnitude of AMR's impact on global health and the economy; and that the country is committed to control AMR through the One Health approach. FAO was involved in technical support to the presentation as the presentation highlights the years of collaboration between FAO and the government in a collective effort to reduce control AMR under the One Health.Several strategies and programmes have been adopted to control AMR, including the establishment of the National Action Plan for AMR Control, the Multi-Sector AMR Control Task Force and the public-private partnerships programmes.

Strengthening veterinary epidemiology capacity
FAO carried out a stakeholder scoping for enhancing veterinary epidemiology capacity in the country from 6 to 7 May 2024. This effort aligns with the recent launch of two new projects funded by USAID and Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), both aimed at strengthening veterinary epidemiology capacities in the country. With two new projects underway, FAO aims to amplify the impact of epidemiology capacity building efforts to enhance the efficiency of the workforce for delivering quality animal health services. A crucial step in this process involves engaging relevant stakeholders to understand ongoing initiatives in epidemiology capacity development and their perspectives.

Training of trainers on sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting
FAO through USAID funding held a four-day training of trainers on sample collection, dispatch and epidemiological reporting in Kathmandu from 13 to 16 May 2024. Eighteen laboratory staff from five sub-national veterinary laboratories, FMD and transboundary animal diseases laboratory, Veterinary Standards and Drug Regulatory Laboratory and National Avian Diseases Investigation Laboratory participated. The aim was to equip trainers to conduct field-level training on sample collection and dispatch. The Department of Livestock Services and Central Veterinary Laboratory collaborated in organizing the training.

Foot-and-mouth disease and lumpy skin disease risk communication training
From 13 to 15 May 2024, FAO and MoA, supported by the Australian Government and in collaboration with the Jalin Foundation, conducted a training of trainers on risk communication of FMD and LSD in Bogor. Thirty-two animal health officers from eight provinces, five district governments, seven disease investigation centers and the Directorate of Animal Health were involved in the training. The training covered eleven risk communication modules, focusing on encouraging farmers to apply biosecurity practices on the farm, routine vaccinations and promptly disease reporting.

Advocacy meeting for TIKOR and TIKORDA formation
FAO and the Indonesian Coordinating Ministry for Human Development and Cultural Affairs (CMHDCA), supported by USAID, conducted a hybrid advocacy meeting between 16 and 17 May 2024, to establish and operationalize TIKORDA in West Java province. This efforts aligns with CMHDCA Regulation No. 7 of 2022, which mandates the formation of coordination team (TIKOR) at the national level, and also provincial and district levels (TIKORDA) for zoonotic outbreak prevention and control. The pilot phase will prioritize Sukabumi and West Bandung districts in West Java.

Dissemination of official regulations on minimum priority zoonoses services
FAO and MoA, with support from USAID, conducted a hybrid meeting on disseminating Minister of Agriculture Regulation No. 39 of 2023 on Minimum Priority Zoonoses Services in Depok, West Java, from 16 to 17 May 2024. Five presentations were delivered during this meeting, including the introduction to Minister of Agriculture Regulation 39/2023 and its four chapters, the policy for implementing minimum service standards for non-natural disasters, nomenclature for disease prevention and control, planning and budgeting for livestock management and zoonosis control, as well as the use of the zoonoses information system and emerging infectious diseases for minimum priority zoonoses services.