Southeast Asia Strengthens Regional Cooperation Against Avian Influenza Through One Health Approach

Singapore – Across Southeast Asia, a silent but persistent threat continues to evolve. Highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) is circulating among domestic and wild bird populations that present sustained risks to animal health, public health, food security, conservation and livelihoods throughout the region. As the virus adapts and expands geographically, it threatens not only poultry farms and wildlife species, but also the economic stability of millions who depend on agriculture for their livelihoods.

The scale of this challenge demands unprecedented regional cooperation. Because livestock value chains and wild bird migrations transcend national boundaries, this shared vulnerability has prompted Southeast Asian countries to move toward a unified, coordinated approach regionally. 

FAO and the Government of Singapore lead coordinated response to HPAI

To address this, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Government of Singapore held a three-day “One Health Workshop on the Multi-Sectoral Prevention and Control of Avian Influenza for the Southeast Asia Region”. Over 100 experts, policymakers, and technical partners on avian influenza, wildlife biology, livestock production, and public health experts from Southeast Asia and regional and international organizations, met to strengthen regional coordination and address the risks posed by HPAI.  

"The recent evolution of highly pathogenic avian influenza has caused an ecological expansion of HPAI to species and ecosystems that had historically not experienced such infections, resulting in impacts to wildlife populations. In the Asia region, avian influenza viruses continue to pose a risk to food systems, economies, livelihoods, and public health across Southeast Asia," said Dr. Scott Newman, Senior Animal Production and Health Officer from FAO. "No single ministry and no single country can manage this alone. This workshop brought together animal health, public health, wildlife health and environment authorities into a single operational space as they transition from policy to practice. Our goal is simple: faster detection, smarter prevention, and coordinated action before outbreaks become crises." 

“Highly pathogenic avian influenza is not a static threat – it moves, evolves and often travels quietly across borders,” said Mr Alvin Tan, Minister of State for National Development, Singapore. “To stay ahead, our regional response must be designed to fly high, fly fast and fly together. This means taking a bird’s-eye view through science and data, moving with urgency through strong bio surveillance and preparedness, and working in formation across countries and sectors through a One Health approach.” 

“Singapore is pleased to co-host this first regional workshop as part of the region’s collective effort to address avian influenza,” said Dr Chang Siow Foong, Director-General, Animal & Veterinary Service, National Parks Board, Singapore. “Disease risks cross borders through people, animals, and ecosystems. By bringing countries and sectors together in one forum, we strengthen the region’s ability to detect threats early, respond faster, and protect human, animal and environmental health.”

Participants reviewed the regional HPAI situation, assessed progress on regional frameworks, strengthened collaboration within the One Health approach, developed a monitoring and evaluation strategy, and agreed on key actions and recommendations for national and regional stakeholders. 

The workshop recommended operationalizing regional frameworks for a coordinated mechanism to manage avian influenza risks across Southeast Asian countries, strengthen veterinary services, advance One Health collaboration, and ensure evidence-based regional action. The recommendations are relevant to Southeast Asia and the broader Asia-Pacific region. 

The workshop was made possible with funding from the UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office  project ‘Quadripartite Support for the Implementation of the ASEAN One Health Joint Plan of Action’.

Participants from the region included the Harbin Veterinary Research Institute, Hokkaido University, World Health Organization, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the United Nations Environment Programme, and the WOAH/FAO Network of Expertise on Animal Influenza (OFFLU), among others. 

This initiative reinforces FAO’s commitment to building resilient, coordinated responses to health threats that cross borders and require joint action across agriculture, health, environment, and wildlife sectors.