26th Conference of the OIE Regional Commission for Asia

23. Dr Kawashima pointed out the new challenges around the Region as perception of
international society and technology related to veterinary activities and information have
evolved and developed, new issues such as animal welfare, food safety including antimicrobial
resistance, aquatic animal diseases, wildlife diseases and communication have been arising as
new challenges to be properly addressed. As OIE has already taken the initiative in these
areas, he stressed that the region needs to be more actively involved in these fields than ever
before.
24. He encouraged all participants to have candid discussions and exchange of views as there was
a wide range of important agenda items including two Technical Items.
25. To conclude, Dr Kawashima reminded all participants that risks related animal and public
health are increasing, in particular in the region, therefore it was expected to play a key role
and fulfill its mission to further achieve food security, food safety and improve animal and
public health. He wished strong and practical recommendations emerge from the Conference.
26. Dr Teruhide Fujita, OIE Regional Representative for Asia and the Pacific, expressed his
appreciation to the Governments of China, as well as to the Municipality of Shanghai, for their
generosity to host the 26th Conference of the Regional Commission for Asia, the Far-East and
Oceania as well as the OIE Regional Seminar on Good Governance of Veterinary Services
conducted the day before.
27. Dr. Fujita recalled that even in the Region of Asia, the Far East and Oceania, the livestock
sector has been developed and is expected to be more expanded in future, based on the
increasing demand by consumers on high quality of animal protein. There are still being,
however, some constraints and problems against the livestock development, due to animal
diseases, in particular Emerging and Transboundary Animal Diseases, including zoonoses.
28. Additionally Dr. Fujita emphasized the impact to animal health due to the increase of
transportation of humans and animals and animal products as a result of globalization and
due to other environmental changes such as climate change, causing Emerging and
Transboundary animal diseases, among others.
29. The Regional Representative underlined the extremely importance of the Conference not only
for the Region of Asia, the Far East and Oceania and but also for the whole world, because of
major topics addressed closely related to agriculture/livestock development regionally and
globally, including two Technical Items of (a) Influenza development, including H1N1,
surveillance and post-vaccination monitoring of H5N1 and (b) the Development of disease-free
zones for equine disease, including the example of China, as well as other important topics
comprising Animal Health Situation of the OIE Members of the Region; the 5th OIE Strategic
Plan and the OIE Global Programme of Strengthening Veterinary Services.
30. Dr. Fujita evoked the importance of strengthening National Veterinary Services as a public
good, to guarantee the effective and efficient management of animal health, as a crucial key
factor, for the agricultural/livestock development and for reduction of human and animal
health risks, food security, socio-economic stability and better human livelihoods.
31. Finally Dr. Fujita confirmed the commitment of the OIE Regional Representation for Asia and
the Pacific to continue closely working for OIE Members in the Region and with relevant
partners to meet the said requirements, through building capacity of National Veterinary
Services.
32. Her Excellency, Ms Yang Dinghua Vice Director of Shanghai People’s Congress, on behalf of
Shanghai municipally government congratulated the opening ceremony of the conference and
welcomed all the delegations.
33. She thanked OIE, MOA and the provinces for the support given to Shanghai in the field of
animal health.
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