The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has teamed up with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Committee of Veterinary and Livestock Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan to launch a project aimed at bolstering Uzbekistan's capacity to combat animal and public health threats, U.S. Embassy in Uzbekistan reported. Spearheaded by the FAO Emergency Center for Transboundary Animal Diseases and operating under USAID’s Global Health Security program, the initiative marks a step towards enhancing the nation's ability to prevent, detect, and respond to health risks.
The project's inception workshop, held in Tashkent, convened a diverse array of stakeholders including representatives from Uzbekistan's agriculture, veterinary, and livestock sectors, alongside international organizations, national research institutes, and civil society. Attendees were briefed on the project's objectives, endorsed its annual work plan, and engaged in discussions pertaining to key activities and implementation strategies.
Sherzod Umarov, Assistant FAO Representative in Uzbekistan, emphasized the intrinsic link between human health, animal welfare, and environmental stability.
"Livestock plays an important role in Uzbekistan as a source of income for a significant percentage of the rural population. The health of humans, domestic and wild animals, plants, and the ecosystems are closely linked and interdependent," Sherzod Umarov shared.
Given Uzbekistan's environmental context, characterized by its geographic location and climate, livestock production remains a top priority. Cattle, sheep, goats, poultry, and horses stand as the most economically significant species, contributing to meat and milk production.
The seismic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the critical importance of adopting a multidisciplinary and multisectoral "One Health" approach. Such an approach, applied at national, regional, and global levels, is deemed essential for efficient disease prevention and control, particularly given that most emerging infectious diseases originate in animals. Strengthening crisis preparedness plans, response capacity, and governance structures surrounding the "One Health" framework is imperative to fortify global health and enhance the resilience of food systems in the aftermath of COVID-19.
Against this backdrop, animal health and food safety remain paramount in Uzbekistan. These facets not only serve as foundational pillars for addressing food insecurity among vulnerable populations but also safeguard human health. Collaborative endeavors encompassing animal health, food safety, public health, zoonoses management, and the enhancement of livestock value are thus accorded top priority within the nation's development agenda.
Follow Daryo's official Instagram and Twitter pages to keep current on world news.
Comments (0)