Central Asian Countries Join Efforts to Strengthen Regional Biosafety
Today, September 14, the regional conference “One Health – 2026” opened in Bishkek. More than 150 representatives of government agencies, scientific communities and international organizations from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan are taking part in the forum.
The main objective of the meeting is to move from intergovernmental agreements to practical measures to protect the population of the region, ensure effective control of infectious diseases transmitted from animals to humans, and curb antimicrobial resistance.
The initiative is organized and supported by the Government of Kyrgyzstan, the World Bank, the Regional Environmental Centre for Central Asia (CAREC), the Pandemic Fund, and the Quadripartite Alliance comprising the FAO, WHO, WOAH and UNEP.
Key Results and Financing
During the plenary session, the Kyrgyz component of the “One Health” programme was officially launched, with a total budget of $31.79 million. Of this amount, $30 million has been allocated as a loan and $1.79 million as a grant. The funds will be used to develop human-resource capacity, modernize laboratory networks, improve threat-detection systems, and strengthen risk-based epidemiological surveillance.
Practical Cooperation and Coordination
Delegations from the five countries are discussing mechanisms for the rapid exchange of information and joint response to cross-border biological risks. A central role in this work is assigned to the “One Health” Regional Secretariat based at CAREC. The body will ensure continuous interagency coordination among the region’s health ministries, veterinary services and environmental authorities.
At the same time, a meeting of the Regional Coordination Council is being held at the conference venue, where experts and project management teams are coordinating financial management, procurement and a unified action plan. The decisions agreed upon in Bishkek will form the basis for strengthening Central Asia’s preparedness for health emergencies.
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