Cambodia holds the International Health Regulations and Performance of Veterinary Services National Bridging workshop
One hundred and thirty key stakeholders from animal health, environment and agriculture in Cambodia have gathered in Siem Reap for a workshop as part of efforts aimed at addressing risks at the human-animal-ecosystems interface. The International Health Regulations and Performance of Veterinary Services National Bridging workshop (IHR-PVS NBW), which is being held from 23 to 25 August, is a platform where participants will discuss findings on how the health of humans, animals and the environment are vitally interlinked.
The majority of emerging and endemic human diseases have their origins in animals and can be transmitted directly through food or the environment, while 75 percent of emerging pathogens are of zoonotic nature, that is, transmitted from animals to humans. Furthermore, health emergencies such as the COVID-19 pandemic and continued threats of other zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance as well as challenges relating to climate change and ecosystem degradation highlight the need for multisector approaches.
“Synergies and ownership” for Cambodia, was the message from His Excellency SEN Sovann, Secretary of State for Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries and Vice Chair of National Interministerial Committee for One Health who officially opened the workshop on 23 August 2023. He cited how as a party to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, the Convention on Biological Diversity and United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification, this inter-connected issue should bring relevant stakeholders in Cambodia together, to fight against zoonosis as an contribution effort to the One Health development.
The workshop is organized by the Quadripartite on One Health, which comprises four agencies, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), United Nations Environment Programme, World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
In her welcome remark, FAO Representative, Rebekah Bell, revealed the new partner in the One Health Quadripartite, UNEP, emphasizing the grouping’s commitment to close collaboration with the Royal Government of Cambodia through partnership the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries (MAFF), Ministry of Health (MoH), Ministry of Environment (MoE) in addressing zoonosis and transboundary diseases in Cambodia.
Initially a Tripartite, FAO, WHO and WOAH, were active promoters and implementers of an intersectoral collaborative approach between institutions and systems to prevent, detect, and control diseases among animals and humans. In 2022, the program expanded to include UNEP as the fourth partner, creating the Quadripatite, in recognition of the significance of the environment in the One Health framework.
The results of the IHR-PVS NBW workshop will provide an opportunity for human, animal and environmental sectors in Cambodia to review their current collaboration gaps and develop a joint roadmap of corrective measures and strategic investments to improve the work at the animal-human-environment interface in the prevention, detection and control of zoonotic diseases.
The workshop has representatives from MoH, the MAFF, and the MoE, provincial officers, WHO, FAO, WOAH, and UNEP. The workshop is being supported by the United States Agency for International Development and Australian Aid.