FAO ECTAD celebrates 20 years of commitment to stop dangerous animal diseases that threaten people, animal and food security
©FAO/Bounmee Maokhamphiou
22/11/2024
The Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), jointly with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, organized its 20th anniversary celebration.
On 22 November 2024, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), jointly with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, organized its 20th anniversary celebration. Held at Lao Plaza Hotel, the event aimed to showcase its achievements throughout the 20 years of engagement and implementation in Lao PDR to safeguard livelihoods by controlling animal health threats, securing food systems, strengthening economies, and ensuring healthier and a safer future for all.
Established in 2004, FAO ECTAD plans and delivers animal health assistance to countries responding to the threat of high-impact diseases. By helping to avoid national, regional and global spread, FAO ECTAD has made significant contributions to the protection of people and animals from diseases and other health threats.
In the past 20 years, the number of countries served by FAO ECTAD has grown to this year having nearly 50 Member Nations, with new FAO ECTAD teams established in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Near East. This number is expected to grow further, with more countries indicating their desire to institute FAO ECTAD teams.
Through the work of FAO ECTAD, FAO forecasts outbreaks by conducting research and analysis to better understand viruses, and how human and animal behavior can affect disease spread. The organization supports early disease detection by providing essential diagnostic equipment and improving the infrastructure of laboratories. This has helped to reduce the time taken from field sampling to accurate diagnosis of priority zoonotic diseases, thereby leading to faster and more effective response.
In Laos, FAO ECTAD has worked in close collaboration with key national and international partners such as the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). This collaboration has enabled the country to tackle major diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), African Swine Fever (ASF), and has been actively involved in efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Ms Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to Lao PDR, reflected that FAO ECTAD’s success lies in collaboration with governments and partners to strengthen national animal health systems. By equipping countries to prevent, detect and respond to animal health threats, FAO ECTAD reduces the risk of pandemics from animals and tackles antimicrobial resistance, safeguarding health and livelihoods for millions. She also expressed that through the One Health approach, FAO ECTAD connects governments and partners to protect human, animal, and environmental health—because health threats know no borders. Through disease surveillance, laboratory enhancement and early warning systems, FAO ECTAD ensures countries like Lao PDR are prepared to address both current and future health challenges.
The success of these initiatives has been made possible through the generous support of donors, including USAID, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of Korea, UKAid and the Fleming Fund. Their contributions have enabled the implementation of targeted programs to strengthen surveillance, enhance laboratory capacities, and improve biosecurity measures at both farm and community levels.
Mr Phanthavong Vongsamphan, Deputy Director General of Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, acknowledged that the threats to human and animal health are increasing as the human population continues to grow and consume more of the planet’s resources. This dependence demands us to work together to strengthen national animal health systems, promote One Health collaboration and tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. He appraised that FAO ECTAD's efforts not only safeguard animal and human health but also contribute to food safety, security, and improved livelihoods for livestock farmers. By implementing sustainable approaches to combat transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, FAO ECTAD is shaping a safer, healthier future for all, positioning itself as a cornerstone of global health security.
At the event, representatives from government counterparts, UN agencies and development partners joined and witnessed the FAO ECTAD success and achievements, facilitated and implemented throughout the decade of work in Lao PDR.
On 22 November 2024, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), jointly with the Department of Livestock and Fisheries of the Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, organized its 20th anniversary celebration. Held at Lao Plaza Hotel, the event aimed to showcase its achievements throughout the 20 years of engagement and implementation in Lao PDR to safeguard livelihoods by controlling animal health threats, securing food systems, strengthening economies, and ensuring healthier and a safer future for all.
Established in 2004, FAO ECTAD plans and delivers animal health assistance to countries responding to the threat of high-impact diseases. By helping to avoid national, regional and global spread, FAO ECTAD has made significant contributions to the protection of people and animals from diseases and other health threats.
In the past 20 years, the number of countries served by FAO ECTAD has grown to this year having nearly 50 Member Nations, with new FAO ECTAD teams established in Africa, Asia and the Pacific, Europe, Latin America and the Caribbean, as well as the Near East. This number is expected to grow further, with more countries indicating their desire to institute FAO ECTAD teams.
Through the work of FAO ECTAD, FAO forecasts outbreaks by conducting research and analysis to better understand viruses, and how human and animal behavior can affect disease spread. The organization supports early disease detection by providing essential diagnostic equipment and improving the infrastructure of laboratories. This has helped to reduce the time taken from field sampling to accurate diagnosis of priority zoonotic diseases, thereby leading to faster and more effective response.
In Laos, FAO ECTAD has worked in close collaboration with key national and international partners such as the Department of Livestock and Fisheries (DLF), Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry (MAF), Ministry of Health (MOH), the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH). This collaboration has enabled the country to tackle major diseases like Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), African Swine Fever (ASF), and has been actively involved in efforts to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
Ms Kyung-Mee Kim, FAO Representative to Lao PDR, reflected that FAO ECTAD’s success lies in collaboration with governments and partners to strengthen national animal health systems. By equipping countries to prevent, detect and respond to animal health threats, FAO ECTAD reduces the risk of pandemics from animals and tackles antimicrobial resistance, safeguarding health and livelihoods for millions. She also expressed that through the One Health approach, FAO ECTAD connects governments and partners to protect human, animal, and environmental health—because health threats know no borders. Through disease surveillance, laboratory enhancement and early warning systems, FAO ECTAD ensures countries like Lao PDR are prepared to address both current and future health challenges.
The success of these initiatives has been made possible through the generous support of donors, including USAID, the Defense Threat Reduction Agency (DTRA), the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs (MAFRA) of Korea, UKAid and the Fleming Fund. Their contributions have enabled the implementation of targeted programs to strengthen surveillance, enhance laboratory capacities, and improve biosecurity measures at both farm and community levels.
Mr Phanthavong Vongsamphan, Deputy Director General of Department of Livestock and Fisheries, Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, acknowledged that the threats to human and animal health are increasing as the human population continues to grow and consume more of the planet’s resources. This dependence demands us to work together to strengthen national animal health systems, promote One Health collaboration and tackle the growing threat of antimicrobial resistance. He appraised that FAO ECTAD's efforts not only safeguard animal and human health but also contribute to food safety, security, and improved livelihoods for livestock farmers. By implementing sustainable approaches to combat transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses, FAO ECTAD is shaping a safer, healthier future for all, positioning itself as a cornerstone of global health security.
At the event, representatives from government counterparts, UN agencies and development partners joined and witnessed the FAO ECTAD success and achievements, facilitated and implemented throughout the decade of work in Lao PDR.