FAO hands over laboratory equipment and ELISA kits to support pandemic preparedness in Tajikistan

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has provided the Committee for Food Security under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan with laboratory equipment and ELISA diagnostic kits to support national efforts to strengthen disease surveillance, food safety monitoring, and preparedness for animal health emergencies. The support is provided through the regional initiative “Pandemic Preparedness and Response through a One Health Approach in Central Asia”, financed by the Pandemic Fund. 

Implemented in close collaboration with the Committee for Food Security, the initiative aims to strengthen national capacities through improved laboratory systems, enhanced surveillance and greater coordination across sectors involved in human, animal and environmental health.

The equipment package includes autoclaves, centrifuges, a microcentrifuge, an ultra-low temperature freezer, incubators, pH meters, microscopes, mixers, ovens, refrigerators and laminar flow cabinets, as well as ELISA (Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay) kits and reagents. These tools will support laboratory testing and monitoring activities related to food safety hazards and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).

The equipment and diagnostic materials are expected to enhance the diagnostic and analytical capacities of veterinary and food safety laboratories in Tajikistan. The ELISA kits will support routine monitoring of antibiotic residues in animal-derived food products and feed, contributing to national food safety and antimicrobial resistance surveillance efforts.

“The provision of this equipment represents an important step in strengthening laboratory capacities and supporting national efforts in disease surveillance and food safety monitoring,” said Aghasi Harutyunyan, FAO Representative in Tajikistan. “Through collaboration with national partners and support from the Pandemic Fund, the project contributes to strengthening preparedness and response capacities under the One Health approach.”

The FAO-led regional initiative promotes a One Health approach, recognizing the interconnection between human, animal and environmental health. Strengthened laboratory capacity supports the timely detection of disease outbreaks, improves monitoring and enables more effective responses to emerging risks.

“The equipment and diagnostic kits provided through this initiative will support ongoing efforts to strengthen laboratory diagnostics, food safety monitoring and disease surveillance in Tajikistan,” said Mustafo Muminzoda, Deputy Head of the Committee for Food Security. “These resources will contribute to improved laboratory services and support the implementation of national food safety and animal health programmes.”

The equipment will be distributed among selected national and regional laboratories of the Committee for Food Security to enhance laboratory services and surveillance activities throughout the country.

The handover takes place ahead of World Food Safety Day 2026, observed globally on 7 June. This year’s theme, "From burden to solutions – safe food everywhere", emphasizes the importance of understanding the impact of foodborne diseases on public health and economies, and promotes practical, science-based measures to reduce food safety risks.

Generating reliable data and strengthening surveillance and diagnostic systems are essential to inform effective policies, support coordinated action across sectors and enable all stakeholders, from authorities and food producers to consumers, to contribute to safer food systems and better health outcomes.

As global health challenges continue to evolve, FAO remains committed to supporting countries like Tajikistan through inclusive, science-based, and coordinated efforts under the One Health framework.