FAO supports ASEAN initiative in the establishment of a Coordinating Centre for Animal Health and Zoonoses
7/10/2016, Bangkok, Thailand: With the increasing threat of emerging and re-emerging zoonoses, transboundary animal diseases and antimicrobial
resistance (AMR), the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) today announced a regional approach to counter the
dangers.
ASEAN has committed to the establishment of an ASEAN Coordinating Centre for Animal Health and Zoonoses (ACCAHZ). The
centre’s main goal is to sustainably address common animal diseases and threats that can also compromise the health and
livelihoods of millions of people dependent on livestock for their subsistence. Based initially in Malaysia, the
location of the centre will rotate within ASEAN countries.
Zoonoses refers to diseases that can spread between animals and humans and given the proximity many humans have to
animals in the ASEAN region, the risk of such transmission is an ongoing threat.
The ACCAHZ initiative was presented during an ASEAN ministerial meeting in Singapore. The announcement comes just weeks
after world leaders at the 71st UN General Assembly in New York committed to a broad, coordinated approach to address
the underlying causes of AMR across major sectors involving human health, animal health and agriculture. The
establishment of ACCAHZ reinforces ASEAN’s regional commitment to take a collaborative approach in tackling possible
future threats of zoonoses and managing related crises.
“FAO is committed to continue our collaboration with ASEAN in all capacities in order to foster the regional
coordination needed to fight transboundary and zoonotic diseases,” said Kundhavi Kadiresan, Assistant Director-General
and FAO Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific. “FAO’s Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases
works closely with our member countries to enable sustainable control and prevention of animal diseases and other health
threats and the impact these can have on global public health, food safety, food security and trade – it is part of our
‘One Health’ approach,” she added.
‘One Health’: Humans, animals, plants
The ‘One Health’ approach is a holistic system that aims to ensure the health of humans and the entire food chain. FAO
is working with the World Health Organization and World Organisation for Animal Health to jointly implement One Health incorporating efforts to safeguard animal, plants and human health. The ACCAHZ will
play an important role in supporting the achievement of ‘One Health’ mandates through the research and development
required to curb the threats of transboundary animal diseases, zoonoses and antimicrobial resistance (AMR).
With over seventy years of experience in livestock and animal health, FAO is technically equipped and stands ready to
advise ASEAN in developing strategies and supporting the operationalization and management of the ACCAHZ.
Related links:
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific