Edition: 5 to 23 June 2023
INTERNATIONAL DAYS
 ©FAO/Eko Prianto | INDONESIA World Food Safety Day celebration FAO and the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA) commemorated World Food Safety Day on 8 June 2023, highlighting the importance of food safety of fresh animal products in improving quality of life. With support from USAID, FAO and MoA promoted chicken and other poultry meats that are ASUH (safe, healthy, whole and halal). This certification ensures the products are free from avian influenza, antimicrobial residues and other diseases. The event called for the public to recognize their responsibility in ensuring food safety. It promotes healthy growth and encourages the fulfilment of nutrition, particularly protein from animal products that significantly prevent malnutrition and stunting—a current issue in Indonesian public health. The Minister of Agriculture, Syahrul Yasin Limpo, and other representatives from ministries, private sectors, and relevant stakeholders attended the event. During the opening remarks, FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor Leste, Rajendra Aryal, encouraged all sectors to uphold high food safety standards and work collaboratively to safeguard public health and well-being. Prior to this event, FAO and MoA also held an Instagram reels competition for public and government institutions about egg recipe creation and education on safe livestock products. Twelve winners from all over Indonesia were chosen from over 200 submissions. Read the news here. |
ONE HEALTH
 ©unodc | VIET NAM AND ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Viet Nam kicks off a project to combat zoonotic disease risks from wildlife FAO, UNODC, UNEP and the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development of Viet Nam kicked off the Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE) project on 8 June 2023. This project aims to reduce zoonotic disease risks at high-risk wildlife facilities with the generous support from the European Union. Read the news here. |
 ©ASEAN+3 FETN | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Joint simulation exercise in ASEAN FAO participated in the ASEAN Plus Three Field Epidemiology Training Network (ASEAN+3 FETN) and ASEAN Veterinary Group (AVEG) simulation exercise workshop in Malaysia from 13 to 15 June 2023. The workshop focused on testing and reviewing the Joint Multisectoral Outbreak Investigation and Response (JMOIR) guidelines in ASEAN, a reference document on administrative and logistical procedures for coordinated and timely response to an outbreak before it progresses to an international concern. FAO provided inputs in the draft scenario and facilitated small group discussions during the workshop to ensure inclusion of animal health and One Health in recommendations to improve the JMOIR in ASEAN. Thanks to the Australian Government through DFAT and USAID for supporting FAO participation in the workshop. |
-to-the-republic-of-korea.png?sfvrsn=f2aea973_1) ©FAO/Gael Lamielle | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Introducing the Tripartite’s Joint Risk Assessment Operational Tool (JRA OT) to the Republic of Korea The Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KCDA) are considering using the JRA OT to improve their preparedness and response to zoonotic threats. FAO, therefore, introduced the tool to KCDA partners on 15 June 2023. The JRA OT was initially piloted in Asia in 2018,. and since then, it has been adopted by countries including Viet Nam and Indonesia for their internal use, demonstrating the usefulness of this tool in the region. In collaboration with the Tripartite (WHO and WOAH), FAO is committed to supporting countries in applying these tools to strengthen One Health in the region. |
TRANSBOUNDARY ANIMAL DISEASES (TADs)
 ©FAO/GF-TADs | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC South Asian countries strengthen coordination to prevent and respond to domestic and cross-border threats to livestock and livelihoods South Asia's Chief Veterinary Officers and regional and global animal health experts have vowed to strengthen regional coordination for sustainable TADs prevention, control and eradication. During the First South Asia TADs Coordination Meeting, organized by the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) in Bhutan in late May, plans were hatched for how best to respond to animal health risks and threats affecting livestock production in the region. Read the article here. |
PARTNERSHIP
 ©FAO | INDONESIA AND ASIA AND THE PACIFIC FAO visits ASEAN Secretariat FAO Representative in Indonesia and Timor Leste and the FAO Official Liaison to ASEAN, Rajendra Aryal, met with the ASEAN Secretariat Sectoral Development Director Kanchana Wanichkorn and the Food, Agriculture and Forestry Division Head Pham Quang Minh on 14 June 2023 to discuss the ongoing and potential further collaboration between FAO and ASEAN in the areas of food and agriculture. Animal health and the One Health approach were also discussed, exemplified by the SMART-ASEAN project, a two-year project implemented by FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and ASEAN, funded by the Australian Government through DFAT.
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EPIDEMIOLOGY
 ©FAO | THE PHILIPPINES AND ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Improving epidemiology capacities to prevent and control animal and zoonotic diseases FAO and the Philippines’ Bureau of Animal Industry assessed the epidemiology capacities of the Philippines using FAO’s Epidemiology Mapping Tool (EMT) from 5 to 9 June 2023. The EMT assessment sought to support the improvement of evidence-based prevention and control of animal and zoonotic diseases by mapping epidemiology capacities, needs and priorities. During the mission, the team consulted with, and collected information from animal health and public health sectors at national and provincial levels; thanks to USAID and DTRA for their support. |
 ©R-FETPV | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Strengthening veterinary epidemiology in the region The Regional Field Epidemiology Training Program for Veterinarians (R-FETPV), in collaboration with Thailand's Ministry of Public Health, has officially began the first module of the year on basic epidemiology and surveillance data analysis, taught from 8 June to 22 July 2023. Eleven veterinarians from five countries are participating in the module. During the training, FAO presented on animal health surveillance and application at the global level, and the principles of animal disease surveillance evaluation specifically aimed at the veterinary trainees. R-FETPV was initiated in collaboration with the FAO RAP ECTAD programme, and the course is now led by the Thailand Government Department of Livestock Development, training cohorts of epidemiologists from the region each year. Thanks to USAID and other donors for its continuous support. |
ANTIMICROBIAL RESISTANCE (AMR)
 ©FAO/Surendra Karki | NEPAL Training to reduce the use of antibiotics through biosecurity With USAID funding, FAO provided a two-day training for poultry farmers on strengthening biosecurity measures and rational use of antibiotics on farms in Lalitpur from 12 to 13 June 2023. Biosecurity kits were provided to farmers to put their knowledge into practice. In total, 25 small and medium-holder poultry farmers of Godawari Municipality participated in the training. This activity was organized in coordination with the Department of Livestock Services and Livestock Service Section of the Godavari Municipality. |
 ©FAO/Juan Carrique-Mas | VIET NAM Introduction of the new regulations on antimicrobial use and prescription requirements In collaboration with the Department of Animal Health and the Provincial Sub-Department of Animal Health in Viet Nam, FAO organized pilot training workshops in Thai Nguyen and Dong Nai provinces on 15 and 19 June, respectively. With USAID funding, the workshops introduced veterinary drug shop owners and key government staff to the recent regulations (national decree and circulars) on veterinary medicines and prescriptions, including the main restrictions on antimicrobial use and prescription requirements. Furthermore, the participants were also given information about antimicrobial treatment guidelines in pigs, poultry and cattle. The workshops allowed veterinary pharmacists and government staff to voice their concerns and questions regarding the practical implementation of the regulations. |
-network.jpg?sfvrsn=86c3b28a_1) ©FAO/Jutanat Srisamran | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC Participation in the health policy and systems research on AMR (HPSR-AMR) network FAO participated in the HPSR-AMR network meeting held by the International Health Policy Program (IHPP) in Bangkok on 9 June 2023. Five research topics conducted with the support of the network were presented, including the FAO work with IHPP on enhancing wastewater and environment surveillance capacity for AMR in Thailand—thanks to USAID support. Additionally, progress of Thailand’s One Health report on antimicrobial consumption and AMR in 2021 was explained by IHPP, the Department of Livestock Development, and the Food and Drug Administration. |
 ©FAO/Gunawan Utomo | INDONESIA Developing monitoring and evaluation tools for AMR National Action Plan FAO, in collaboration with the Coordinating Ministry of Human Development and Cultural Affairs and the Ministry of Agriculture, held a workshop on developing monitoring and evaluation tools for the 2020-2024 AMR National Action Plan (AMR NAP) control in Tangerang from 15 to 16 June 2023 with the support from Multi-Partner Trust Fund. This meeting was important for cross-sectoral stakeholders as they will use the monitoring and evaluation plan for AMR NAP control. This tool's function is to monitor the progress of AMR NAP implementation related to its achievements, lessons learned, challenges and corrective actions experienced by relevant stakeholders at various levels in each sector. All participants drafted a monitoring and evaluation plan from the workshop, including a data entry template and data analysis tools for AMR NAP control. |
COMMUNICATIONS
 ©FAO/Domingo Caro III | ASIA AND THE PACIFIC FAO participates in USAID's Regional Development Mission for Asia (RDMA) storytelling workshop FAO participated in the USAID RDMA workshop on storytelling in Bangkok, Thailand on 14 June 2023. The main objective of the workshop was to brief USAID implementing partners on how to inspire action through articles and visual stories. It allowed participants to internalize USAID's Democracy, Human Rights, and Governance (DRG) strategy and develop success stories related to it. About 25 communications focal persons from 10 implementing partners, including FAO, participated in the workshop. |