As the world faces a daunting challenge to eradicate peste des petits ruminants (PPR) by 2030, the PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) secretariat recently convened two meetings in FAO headquarters to deliberate on the way forward for disease eradication.

The PPR Global Research and Expertise Network (PPR-GREN) vaccination thematic meeting held from 25- 26 June sought to review and provide strategic guidance for the PPR Global Eradication Programme (PPR GEP) Blueprint implementation by providing recommendations that address barriers that impede access to vaccination. In addition to the vaccination thematic group members, six countries- Burundi, Cameroon, China, Georgia, India and Morocco - were in attendance, as they have used their resources to reach at least 70 percent vaccination coverage.

The meeting featured presentations of key success stories in PPR vaccination in selected countries, discussing the current innovative approaches that have made notable progress in PPR eradication while identifying common challenges in accessing vaccination services and suggesting solutions. As such, participants provided strong views on improving the vaccination guidelines, following an episystem approach, while providing strategic guidance and recommendations regarding the way forward for the PPR vaccination. These guidelines will be published soon.

The subsequent meeting of the PPR GEP Advisory Committee (AC) held from 27-28 June aimed to review and provide strategic guidance for the PPR Global Eradication Programme Blueprint implementation.

The meeting was attended by participants from organizations of Regional Economic Communities in particular the Arab Organization for Agricultural Development (AOAD), Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO) and the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC). Additionally, reference laboratories, GREN members, vaccine experts, wildlife experts, Partnership and Finance Panel (PFP), International Sheep Association, Inter African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), Internation Red Cross Committee, development partners (International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), the European Union (EU) and USDA's Animal and Plant Health Inspection Service (APHIS), Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs), and a representative from six countries with successful PPR control towards eradication were in attendance.

PPR GEP is a flagship programme of the FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) developed to link PPR eradication with the parallel building of the capacity of veterinary services at the national level. Additionally, it addresses the control of other small ruminant diseases in line with other global development agendas such as small ruminant market access, poverty eradication, One Health, gender equality, inclusive and sustainable partnerships, climate action, and economic growth.

The committee ensures effective oversight by receiving regular reports and reviewing the results of project evaluations that take place periodically. In particular, the meeting presented the PPR GEP activities since the last PPR Advisory Committee held in Bangalore, India, including a follow-up of the recommendations given during the sixth meeting, and the status of the PPR GEP.

Additionally, the participants discussed the resource mobilization successes and challenges while considering other developments in the programme. More importantly, they provided strategic guidance and pertinent recommendations related to advocacy for political and financial commitment at all levels, resource mobilization, regional collaboration and coordination; capacity development, technical support, and backstopping support of PPR GEP – goals.

Moreover, at this stage, the need for improved cooperation and collaboration amongst countries regionally to achieve eradication was emphasized. In doing so, this will help combat the transboundary nature of the disease as countries could support neighboring countries lacking adequate resources.

With continuing engagement in research, advocacy messaging, alignment of national strategic plans to the PPR GEP Blueprint, and the development of effective vaccination strategies, the world edges closer to eradicating this virulent disease and hence securing food and income for 300 million rural families throughout the globe.