A national coordination meeting on pandemic preparedness and response measures based on the "One Health" approach in Central Asia was held in Tashkent. The event was organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) along with national partners, aimed at enhancing intersectoral collaboration to reduce pandemic risks and improve response measures.
The meeting took place as part of the regional project "Pandemic Preparedness and Response through the One Health Approach in Central Asia," implemented by the FAO, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the World Bank across five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Turkmenistan. The main goal of the project is to develop and strengthen the capacity of veterinary, environmental, and medical systems in combating pandemics.
It is known that Central Asian countries face challenges in combating pandemics and epidemics due to issues in healthcare, agriculture, ecology, and social development. The COVID-19 pandemic has vividly demonstrated how quickly zoonotic diseases can spread within a country and beyond, necessitating coordinated and multisectoral approaches.
In response to these challenges, the "One Health" approach is being actively implemented in the region, aimed at strengthening cooperation among organizations involved in pandemic preparedness. This process is supported by the Quadruple Partnership for One Health, which includes FAO, WHO, the World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
During the meeting, the Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Animal Husbandry, the Committee for Sanitary and Epidemiological Well-Being and Public Health, and the Ministry of Ecology, Environment and Climate Change collaborated with international partners to discuss the national work plan, interagency cooperation mechanisms, key issues, and next steps.
The focus of the meeting was on improving coordination among government agencies, refining interaction mechanisms, and exploring opportunities for intersectoral collaboration. The process of developing the project and its key directions necessary for ensuring effective pandemic preparedness at the national level was also discussed.
- Pandemic preparedness and response measures are not only a national priority but also a pressing issue for our entire region and the world, - noted Sherzod Umarov, Deputy FAO Representative in Uzbekistan. - Strengthening cooperation to protect the health of people, animals, and the environment based on the "One Health" approach is a crucial step towards a sustainable future. Today's meeting presents a valuable opportunity for further developing collaboration between sectors to enhance pandemic preparedness, share knowledge and experiences, coordinate strategies, and strengthen practical cooperation.
According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, over 60 percent of infectious diseases in humans are of animal origin, and 75 percent of new diseases are zoonotic. These figures highlight the need to strengthen public health systems, develop political and managerial structures, and raise public awareness.
The project aims to enhance the long-term resilience of Central Asian countries by improving pandemic preparedness and mitigating their impacts. Among the key tasks are:
· Strengthening political and managerial mechanisms for pandemic response.
· Expanding partnerships and enhancing intersectoral cooperation.
· Increasing public participation and awareness levels.
· Providing technical assistance and specialized training.
· Modernizing veterinary, environmental, and medical systems to improve the effectiveness of epidemic surveillance and response measures.
Through these initiatives, Uzbekistan and its regional partners are taking proactive steps to prevent future pandemics and ensure the health of the population, economic stability, and sustainable environmental development.