South Asian Nations Target Advanced Animal Disease Diagnostics
SAARC Lab Directors Forum Meets in Kandy
- 6th SAARC Laboratory Directors Forum (SLDF) meeting held in Kandy, Sri Lanka
- Focuses on enhancing veterinary diagnostics, biosafety, and harmonized lab standards
- Regional roadmap formulated to tackle transboundary animal diseases and boost food safety
To strengthen regional cooperation in animal disease surveillance, diagnostic technology, and veterinary laboratory systems, the 6th meeting of the SAARC Laboratory Directors Forum (SLDF) was convened today, Friday, in Kandy, Sri Lanka. The event was jointly organized by the SAARC Secretariat and the Department of Animal Production and Health of Sri Lanka, bringing together directors, senior technical officers, and veterinary experts across South Asia.
This landmark session marks a major milestone following the 5th SLDF meeting previously held in Bangkok, Thailand, in 2018.
Tech-Driven Solutions for Transboundary Animal Diseases
In her welcome address, Dr. B.S.S. Perera, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka, highlighted that a robust, high-tech laboratory infrastructure is vital for food security, public health, and sustainable livestock production. She urged South Asian nations to build closer alliances against emerging transboundary animal diseases.
Dr. Md. Younus Ali, Senior Program Specialist (Livestock) at the SAARC Agriculture Centre (SAC), stressed the harmonization of diagnostic standards, quality assurance systems, and specialized technical capacity building. Tanvir Ahmad Torafder, Director at the SAARC Secretariat, emphasized establishing a digitized, connected regional lab network for real-time information exchange.Formally opening the session, Forum Chairman and Nepalese delegate Dr. Barun Sharma called for joint initiatives focusing on advanced diagnostic capabilities, biorisk management, and mutual technology transfers among national reference laboratories.
The forum reviewed implementation progress from previous SAARC Chief Veterinary Officers Forum recommendations and discussed the draft terms of reference for the Regional Technical Advisory Group (Lab-TAG). Country-specific technical presentations showcased ongoing laboratory upgrades and biosafety protocols. In collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the meeting concluded with the adoption of a comprehensive strategic action plan for the region.
//DBTech/ABM/SME//
