Kuwait City: Kuwait Institute for Scientific Research (KISR) announced its readiness to host the regional meeting on combating animal and zoonotic diseases in Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, scheduled to take place from June 16 to 19.
According to Kuwait News Agency, Regional Coordinator of the meeting at KISR, Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Ateeqi, stated in a press release that the event will be held in collaboration with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the Joint FAO/IAEA Centre of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, and with the participation of representatives from GCC countries and the Regional Office of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Al-Ateeqi emphasized that the meeting will serve as a scientific platform for exchanging expertise, discussing diagnostic and surveillance strategies, and reviewing the latest technologies in combating animal diseases, including nuclear-based diagnostic tools and whole genome sequencing techniques. He explained that the timing of the meeting is crucial due to rising health challenges caused by climate and environmental changes, as well as increasing animal density, which require coordinated scientific efforts and unified policies to address these challenges proactively.
The four-day agenda includes scientific sessions and presentations on tools for rapid disease detection, capacity building, and strengthening regional response to zoonotic and transboundary animal diseases. The meeting will also focus on priority diseases in the Gulf region, such as Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), Brucellosis, Rift Valley Fever (RVF), Middle East Respiratory Syndrome (MERS-CoV), and Camel Pox, within the framework of the "One Health" approach that integrates efforts across veterinary medicine, public health, and environmental sectors.
Al-Ateeqi highlighted that hosting this meeting reflects Kuwait's commitment to advancing regional health security through scientific research and international cooperation, aligning with its obligations under global health initiatives.