2025-03-21 21:35:49
On the morning of March 21, the One Health Partnership for Zoonoses of Viet Nam in coordination with the Center for International Cooperation in Agricultural Research and Development (CIRAD) organized the final consultation workshop on proposals for the PreAct project (Prezode in Act - Putting initiatives into action) within the framework of the Prezode Initiative - Prevention of zoonotic diseases, funded by the French Government through the French Development Agency (AFD).
Speaking at the workshop, Deputy Director of the Department of International Cooperation To Viet Chau said that the Prezode Initiative has the participation of 29 member countries, focusing on research to prevent the emergence of zoonotic diseases, in which the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment (formerly the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development) officially became a member in 2022. In Vietnam, CIRAD is an active member of the Prezode Initiative and is actively coordinating with the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment through the One Health Partnership Secretariat on zoonotic disease prevention to prepare the PreAct project proposal. The project is expected to be dedicated to the Southeast Asia region, which will be implemented in Vietnam in the period of 2025-2028, aiming to enhance understanding of emerging zoonotic diseases, identify and monitor risks through a bottom-up approach, strengthen cross-border risk management capacity and enhance the operational efficiency of local agencies. According to Mr. To Viet Chau, after 9 months of preparation since the first consultation meeting, key technical contents have been proposed to AFD with a total expected capital of over 1.6 million USD for the two countries of Vietnam and the Philippines. The project is expected to be divided into 4 components including risk identification, risk mitigation, community-based One Health monitoring and capacity building for One Health. The project is expected to be implemented in Tien Giang and Thai Nguyen. Attending the consultation session, there was direct participation of Representatives of the Departments of Agriculture and Environment of Tien Giang and Thai Nguyen Provinces to directly present and make recommendations on the livestock situation and disease control in the two provinces.
Through the PreAct project, the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment hopes that the project will help create a long-term dialogue mechanism for science, policy and society; strengthen multi-sectoral cooperation; ensure the use of the One Health approach in decision-making mechanisms to optimize benefits; provide research to demonstrate the intertwined benefits between economy and health through One Health; facilitate and accelerate the decisions of stakeholders; increase the participation of the private sector in green initiatives to ensure the health of the environment, humans and livestock; increase the participation of stakeholders, change the mindset and awareness of One Health.
Vietnam is one of the most dynamic countries in promoting One Health
Dr. Marisa Peyre, Deputy Head of ASTRE Research Unit, CIRAD, said that Vietnam is currently one of the leading countries not only in the region but also in the world in institutionalizing and applying the "One Health" approach. In the face of increasing challenges and threats from infectious diseases spreading from animals to humans, Vietnam has built a strong system of policies, strategies and governance, in line with the One Health Action Plan (1L) of four international organizations: WHO, FAO, UNEP and WOAH.
“We believe that the PreZode Initiative and the PreAct project will contribute positively to these goals and more. Vietnam is not only a pioneer in implementing One Health, but also has the potential to lead in demonstrating the added value of this approach through preventive measures to reduce the risk of pandemics,” said Dr. Marisa Peyre.
In addition, HT also called for other international funding sources to support the PREACT initiative. In the immediate future, PREACT in this phase will be supported by the AFD organization. The workshop shared plans to mobilize resources from the Pandemic Fund to implement OHP tasks in Viet Nam and other countries around the world.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Hung, Head of the Health Program, International Livestock Institute (ILRI Kenya) informed that Vietnam is considered one of the most dynamic countries in promoting the One Health approach. For the PreAct project, although it has received partial funding from the French Government, to expand its operations in Vietnam, the Philippines and other countries, additional funding is needed. The Pandemic Fund opens up opportunities to mobilize this resource, while also helping to increase the presence and impact of the Prezode initiative at both the regional and national levels – in which Vietnam is one of the first countries to sign on and play a pioneering role.
We are honored to have a long-term partnership with Viet Nam in this new project within the Prezode Initiative, to work together towards a pandemic-free future for all. I wish today's consultation and workshop to be effective and meet the expectations of all of you.
In addition, Mr. Hung also emphasized the cooperation to promote the initiative. In particular, the new scientific program of the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research (CGIAR) on sustainable food from livestock and aquaculture has Vietnam as a priority country.
The implementation program also has 6 components including the component for One Health, focusing on priorities including: continuing to build scientific evidence on risks such as infectious diseases from animals to humans, antimicrobial resistance, and foodborne diseases; co-designing intervention initiatives; and supporting countries to implement One Health at the policy and field levels.
