The National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention (Director Shin Dong-in), under the Ministry of Environment, is set to host a two-day 'Policy Round Table on Wildlife Diseases' at 'Sono Calm Jeju' in Seogwipo-si, Jeju, starting from October 10. The event aims to facilitate discussions about creating a comprehensive monitoring and management system for diseases carried by wildlife, including avian influenza (AI).

This policy round table includes the participation of experts from 14* research institutions and international organizations in the Asia-Pacific region, including not only South Korea but also such countries as the U.S., Japan, China, and Australia.

* South Korea, U.S., Vietnam, Japan, Indonesia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, Australia, China, Thailand, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH), the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), and the Asian Society for Conservation Medicine (ASCM)

On the first day of the event, during Part 1, there will be a session where each country shares the current status of wildlife disease management and engages in a Q&A session regarding the current issues.

During Part 2, held on the second day, participants will emphasize the seriousness of the international spread of wildlife diseases, fostering a shared understanding. They will engage in discussions on the operation plan and declaration statement of the policy round table to promote international collaboration and coordinated responses among nations.

Based on this, on the morning of October 11, a 'Declaration on Wildlife Disease Management' will be drafted. This declaration will include seven policy directions, which are △ establishment of a comprehensive monitoring system and early warning system, △ promotion of scientific diagnosis and analysis, △ information sharing, △ education and training, △ respect for stakeholders, △ strengthened international cooperation, and △ promotion of sustainable wildlife disease management. It also emphasizes systematic management of wildlife diseases and a commitment to minimizing socio-economic damages in the fields of environment, agriculture, and animal husbandry.

Furthermore, the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention is also pursuing bilateral discussions with the U.S. and Vietnam for the swift sharing of information on the annual recurrence of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and to address the fundamental issues related to African swine fever (ASF). Discussions with the U.S. involve the establishment of a comprehensive cooperative framework in the field of wildlife disease management between leading countries. With Vietnam, there will be discussions about concrete joint research plans for outdoor clinical trials related to the development of an ASF vaccine.

Shin Dong-in, Director of the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention, stated, "This policy round table aligns with the global trend of integrated health management (One Health*) policy, which aims to comprehensively manage diseases in humans, livestock, and wildlife." He added, "In the future, we will continue to host related events in collaboration with countries in the Asia-Pacific region and international organizations, making every effort to establish South Korea as a key hub nation for wildlife disease management."

* One Health: Integrated disease management across humans, animals, and the environment to effectively address the spread of diseases between species

Contact: Part Jae-sung, Environmental Researcher

Wildlife Disease Response Team / +82-(0)62-949-4324