Possibilities of Regional Aquatic Animal Health Programmes in SAARC Countries Praveen Kolaventy India

Transcription

1 Possibilities of Regional Aquatic Animal Health Programmes in SAARC Countries Praveen Kolaventy India OIE Regional Workshop Emergency Aquatic Animal Disease Response in collaboration with NACA 6-8 November, 2013 Bali, Indonesia

2 About SAARC The South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) was established when its Charter was formally adopted on 8 December 1985 by the Heads of State or Government of Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The Association provides a platform for the peoples of South Asia to work together in a spirit of friendship, trust and understanding. It aims to promote the welfare of the peoples of South Asia and to improve their quality of life through accelerated economic growth, social progress and cultural development in the region. Cooperation in the SAARC is based on respect for the principles of sovereign equality, territorial integrity, political independence, noninterference in internal affairs of the Member States and mutual benefit. Regional cooperation is seen as a complement to the bilateral and multilateral relations of SAARC Member States. Decisions are taken on the basis of unanimity. Bilateral and contentious issues are excluded from the deliberations of SAARC.

3 SAARC Member States 1 Afghanistan 2 Bangladesh 3 Bhutan 4 India 5 Maldives 6 Nepal 7 Pakistan 8 Sri Lanka

4 Areas of Cooperation The current areas of cooperation under the reconstituted Regional Integrated Programme of Action which is pursued through the Technical Committees cover: Agriculture and Rural Development; Health and Population Activities; Women, Youth and Children; Environment and Forestry; Science and Technology and Meteorology; Human Resources Development; and Transport.

5 Areas of Cooperation Recently, high level Working Groups have also been established to strengthen cooperation in the areas of Information and Communications Technology, Biotechnology, Intellectual Property Rights, Tourism, and Energy. Given the emphasis laid down at successive Summits on the need to expand the areas of cooperation and strengthen the regional cooperation, a number of other areas have been included in the SAARC agenda. Several Ministerial level meetings have taken place to give due emphasis in various fields

6 SAARC Regional Centres The SAARC Secretariat is supported by Regional Centres established in Member Countries to promote regional cooperation. These Centres are managed by Governing Boards comprising representatives from Member States, SAARC Secretary-General and the Ministry of Foreign/External Affairs of the host government. The Director of the Centre acts as Member Secretary to the Governing Board which reports to the Standing Committee. Established Centres: 1. SAARC Agricultural Information Centre (SAIC), Dhaka 2. SAARC Coastal Zone Management Centre,(SCZMC), Maldives 3. SAARC Cultural Centre,(SCC), Sri Lanka 4. SAARC Disaster Management Centre (SDMC), New Delhi 5. SAARC Energy Centre,(SEC), Pakistan 6. SAARC Forestry Centre,(SFC), Bhutan 7. SAARC Human Resources Development Centre (SHRDC), Islamabad 8. SAARC Information Centre,(SIC), Nepal 9. SAARC Meteorological Research Centre (SMRC), Dhaka 10. SAARC Tuberculosis Centre (STC), Kathmandu

7 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 1. UNCTAD SAARC-UNCTAD Memorandum of Understanding on the Trade Analysis and Information System (TRAINS) was signed in February The global aim of TRAINS is to increase transparency in international trading conditions and thus facilitate trade. This was the first Agreement of cooperation to be signed by SAARC with an international organization. Under this Agreement, UNCTAD provides the SAARC Secretariat, on a regular basis, an updated copy of TRAINS CD-ROM containing latest data on trade control measures prevailing in developed and developing countries. The SAARC Secretariat in turn updates trade control measures prevailing in the SAARC member states on a regular basis and forwards the same to UNCTAD Secretariat, on computer floppies for incorporation in the updated versions of TRAINS CD-ROM. SAARC Secretariat has now data on trade control measures prevailing in 50 countries including most of the SAARC member countries. The target of UNCTAD is to include latest trade control measures of 100 countries of the world in this PC-based information system. This information is available to SAARC member states on request.

8 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 2. ESCAP A Framework Agreement for cooperation between SAARC and ESCAP was signed in February The Agreement provides for cooperation on development issues through joint studies, workshops and seminars and exchange of information and documentation in poverty alleviation, human resource development, trade promotion, foreign direct investment, environmental protection and prevention of drug trafficking, infrastructure development etc. SAARC Secretary-General has attended two Consultative Meetings of the Executive Heads of Sub-regional Organizations in Asia and the Pacific and ESCAP (Bangkok 1994 and Jakarta 1995). The Secretary-General also participated in the Meeting of Eminent Persons on Human Resources Development organized by ESCAP Secretariat in Bangkok (November 1994).

9 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 3. UNICEF A Cooperation Agreement between SAARC and UNICEF, was signed on 10 December The Agreement envisages cooperation in implementing the relevant SAARC decisions relating to Children through an annual agenda which include joint studies, exchange of documentation and monitoring of implementation. In pursuance of the Cooperation Agreement, the SAARC Secretariat and the UNICEF Regional Office for South Asia have been holding regular consultations, which have covered progress in the implementation of Summit directives on Children and the recommendations of the Council of Ministers, Standing Committee and the relevant Technical Committees. The consultations focus on all child related issues including the Annual Review of the Situation of Children in the SAARC Countries; implementation of the Colombo Resolution on Children; Plan of Action to mark A.D. as the SAARC Decade of the Girl Child; the serious threat faced by Girl Children in Especially Difficult Circumstances (GCEDC); mid-decade goals on Children emanating from the World Summit for Children (1990) and certain aspects of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child. The regular interaction between SAARC and UNICEF has facilitated better understanding of problems faced by Children in South Asia and regional policies and strategies to meet these challenges.

10 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 4. APT A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed by SAARC Secretary-General and Executive Director of Asia Pacific Telecommunity ( APT) on February The MOU envisages cooperation between the two organizations to promote the growth of telecommunications in order to accelerate economic and social development in the region. SAARC and APT will exchange information, publications and documents on their respective activities in this field. They will also exchange technical and operational details of plans for improvement of national, regional and international telecommunications network. Collaboration is also envisaged in planning and development of networks, transfer of technology, promoting international standards, development of human resources and application of telecommunications in sectors such as health, education, environment, transport, and tourism.

11 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 5. UNDP A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SAARC and UNDP was signed by the SAARC Secretary-General and Administrator of UNDP in July The MOU embodies a general agreement for broad-based collaboration with the aims and purposes of promoting sustainable human development for attaining poverty elimination, preservation and protection of environment, regeneration of natural resources, employment creation, and the goals of women in development; undertakes periodic consultation for joint activities; publishing studies on priority concerns and exchanging relevant reports.

12 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 6. UNDCP SAARC Secretary-General and United Nations International Drug Control Programme (UNDCP) Executive Director signed an MOU on 18 August 1995 to coordinate their efforts in combating drug trafficking and drug abuse in the region. The Memorandum envisages mutual consultation and exchange of information between the two organizations. In addition, the two organizations have agreed to seek each other's technical cooperation in pursuing their respective drug control activities in areas of drug supply and demand reduction to assist in the development and implementation of such activities as human resource development; improving regional cooperation on drug intelligence through the SAARC Drug Offences Monitoring Desk; legislation; financial investigation; money laundering; precursor control; the establishment of a networking arrangement among existing institutions in drug abuse prevention etc.

13 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 7. COLOMBO PLAN SAARC has also entered into cooperation arrangement with the Colombo Plan Bureau for promotion on the Role of SAARC NGOs in anti-narcotic activities. In this context, representative of NGOs from seven countries attended a meeting of the SAARC Forum on the role of NGOs in Drug Demand Reducation in Dhaka on April Efforts are also underway to establish a working relationship between the SAARC Secretariat and the Colombo Plan Bureau on training facilities in the region. 8. ITU The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between SAARC and International Telecommunications Union (ITU) has been finalized and is to be signed shortly.

14 Cooperation With International and Regional Organization 9. OIE SAARC entered into an agreement with OIE on 30 November, 2005 Technical Cooperation for Harmonisation of animal health legislation and regulations Design and setting up of epidemiological surveillance, disease report in academic institutions in the veterinary and animal production food safety fields g and animal health information systems Development of standards for trade in animals and animal products Strengthening of Veterinary Services through support for the organisation of training courses

15 FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meetings of GF-TADs for SAARC Region SAARC CVOs developed broad and generic roadmap for TADs

16 FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meetings of GF-TADs for SAARC Region Outcomes of 2nd GF-TADs: Convening of Sub-Regional GF-TADs Meetings SAARC: FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of GF-TADs for SAARC countries in collaboration with SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, Nepal, 4-5 June 2009

17 Outcomes of 2 nd GF-TADs: The Three Sub-Regional GF-TADs Setup with the prioritized diseases Sub-region ASEAN+ (Japan, R.O. Korea, PR China ) Sub-regional Support Unit (RSU) Jakarta/Bangkok Lead Laboratory FMD:Thailand HPAI: Malaysia CSF: Vietnam SAARC Kathmandu FMD: India HPAI: Pakistan PPR: Bangladesh SPC +(Australia, New Zealand) Suva, Fiji To be determined for FMD, HPAI and CSF**

18 Outcomes of 2 nd GF-TADs: Sub-Regional GF-TADs Meetings convened SAARC:FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of GF-TADs for SAARC countries in collaboration with SAARC Secretariat, Kathmandu, Nepal, 4-5 June 2009 SPC:FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of GF-TADs for SAARC countries in collaboration with SPC Secretariat, Nadi, Fiji,25-26 June 2009 ASEAN:FAO/OIE Sub-Regional Meeting of GF-TADs for ASEAN countries in collaboration with ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia, July 2009 (Postponed to 7-8 December 2009)

19 Main Recommendations of the 3 rd GF- TADs Regional Steering Committee Meeting It reiterated that GF-TADs is a coordinating mechanism, not an implementing one. GF-TADs developed a range of tools and platforms GLEW, OFFLU, RAHC, CMC-AH and support TADS and EIDs control. GF-TADs RSC should be a consultative mechanism for projects funded regionally such as EC HPED, ASEAN Trust fund activities and others. HPED steering Committee meeting should be held back to back to in close collaboration with the GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee Meeting. The Chair of SAARC CVOs group, the ASWGL and PHOVAPS should be invited to the RSC meeting.

20 Main Recommendations of the 4 th GF-TADs Regional Steering Committee Meeting GF-TADs should continue to address capacity building and, strengthening of veterinary services to meet the OIE standards. And the resource limited countries should be given high priority under the GF-TADs initiative through more broader sub-regional collaboration in supporting veterinary services to comply with OIE standards. GF-TADs should continue close collaboration with the Regional Organizations ASEAN, SAARC and SPC (RSOs) through continued engagement in the Animal Health Authorities Working Group of the respective organizations. GF-TADs, with the participation of WHO, will focus on the important TADs and potential zoonoses targeting the principal source in animals. In zoonoses, cross sectoral collaboration between animal health, human health and ecosystems should be promoted to achieve the principle of a One Health approach (in line with the FAO/OIE/WHO Tripartite concept note of April 2010)

21 Regional Coordination Programme on highly pathogenic and emerging diseases for South Asia (SAARC component) The Sub-regional Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases for SAARC countries was established within FAO Nepal in September 2007 in response to the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) emergency in the Indo-Gangetic Plains of the sub-region. The Regional Support Unit (RSU) was established in June 2010 within the FAO Sub-regional Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases based in Kathmandu, Nepal. The RSU was established through the EU funded Regional Coordination Programme on highly pathogenic and emerging diseases for South Asia (SAARC component). Interacting closely with the SAARC Secretariat and the veterinary and public health sectors in the region, the program intends to benefit the population of South Asia and the global community at large by preventing the emergence and spread of epidemics and pandemics due to HPED and the ongoing crisis due to HPAI. The overall objective of the programme is to contribute to the strengthening and empowerment of SAARC in its ability to prevent, control and eradicate HPED, including HPAI, through improved veterinary and public health services and inter-sectoral collaboration on a regional basis. The programme has a specific objective of enhancing the capacities and capabilities of SAARC to prevent, control and eradicate HPEDs, including HPAI, at a regional level.

22 HPED The regional programme comprises of three major components: Regional Support Unit (RSU), Regional Epidemiology Centre (REC) and three Regional Leading Diagnostic Laboratories (RLDLs). The Regional Epidemiology Centre (REC) is established alongside the RSU in Kathmandu. The three RLDLs have been established in Bangladesh, India and Pakistan. In line with these three components, the following are the expected results of the programme.

23 HPED 1. Regional Support Unit (RSU). Establishment of the RSU to development and promotion of mechanism for regional cooperation and collaboration and facilitate regional policies and technical activities under the framework of GF-TADs. 2. Regional Epidemiology Centre (REC). Establishment of the REC to organize and coordinate the epidemiology networks of national epidemiology units including socio economic analysis. 3. Regional Leading Diagnostic Laboratories (RLDLs) Strengthening in organization and coordination of networks of national laboratories in order to provide technical support to improve the laboratory diagnosis of the priority HPEDs and backstop epidemiological studies to develop rational disease control strategies.

24 ADB Technical Assisted Programme: SAARC Food Security through Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases( ) The TA will focus on developing a sustainable regional cooperation and collaboration among the eight South Asian Association of Regional Cooperation (SAARC) member countries (Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka) to address common issues related to combating transboundary animal diseases (TADs) that are predominantly spread by animal and avian movements across countries in the region. The TA aims at improving food security and safety in the SAARC region by boosting livestock productivity and expanding local, regional and international trade in livestock and livestock products.

25 Project Rationale and Linkage to Country/Regional Strategy TA is consistent with ADB s Regional Cooperation Strategy for South Asia ( ) which considers trade facilitation as one of three priority areas for regional cooperation. The underpinning thrust of the TA is on promoting regional and international trade in livestock and livestock products. Following SAARC s request for ADB s assistance for a TA on combating trans-boundary animal diseases, ADB already conducted initial consultation with SAARC, and SAARC underpinned the importance of this TA. Impact Improved control of the priority TADs in SAARC region Project Outcome Improved bio-security in SAARC region Description of Project Outputs 1.A framework for improved regional cooperation among SAARC countries in combating TADs established 2.Regional structures on the fight against TADs are sustainable 3.Expanded regional and national animal health information and surveillance system 4.Improved institutional capacity of public and private sector animal health management agencies

26 Recommendations for future work Programmes on Aquatic Animal Health Initiatives for TAADs on the lines of work on terrestrial animals CVOs of SAARC countries may liaise with AFP and a regional framework for aquatic animals may be developed TAADs may be brought into the GF in sub-region (SAARC) OIE and SAARC may consider similar agreements for aquatic animal health for food security ADB may also fund TCPs in the field of AAH and TAD

27 Thank You