Book Description

The first meeting of the GCC-FMD was organized virtually under the umbrella of the GF-TADs, by its FMD Working Group (WG), during 22-23 September 2021. The participants included representatives of 13 GCC-FMD Standing Member organizations, 10 Observers, representatives from the FAO and OIE regional offices, the representatives from FAO/OIE regional Reference Centres, the head of the FAO/OIE World Reference Laboratory for FMD (WRLFMD, The Pirbright Institute, UK). The FMD-WG, is looking to this committee to guide in the final phase of the implementation of the FAO/OIE Global FMD Control Strategy, through sharing information and experiences, improving the alignment and coordination of regional initiatives with the FAO/OIE Global FMD control strategy and eventually developing a 5-year global FMD action plan. The overall purpose of the GCC-FMD is to: (i) Facilitate the implementation of the Global strategy as it is entering the final phase of its implementation; (ii) Enhance information exchange and coordination at regional level; (iii) Enable replication of success across regions. The Standing members elected the Chair (PANAFTOSA) and Co-chair (GFRA) for 3-year term (2021-2023). Ms. Maria Helena Semedo, Deputy Director General, FAO and Ms. Monique Eloit, Director General, OIE graced the opening session of the first meeting of the newly established GCC-FMD. The expected outcomes of the meeting were: (i) Better understanding of FMD dynamics and control strategies/initiatives at global, regional and national levels; (ii) Enhanced coordination and communication among the stakeholders to better implement the global FMD control strategy for significant impact; (iii) SWOT analysis of regional initiatives w.r.t the three components of the Global FMD control Strategy and identification of potential solutions; (iv) Identified next steps for the development of action plan for next phase of the global FMD control strategy; (v) Advocacy and better understanding of development partners and stakeholders on FMD control initiatives and their impact.