1st Meeting of the ad hoc Steering Committee of the Regional Collaboration Framework on Aquatic Animal Health in Asia and the Pacific

Under the Regional Collaboration Framework on Aquatic Animal Health in Asia and the Pacific, an ad hoc Steering Committee was established in July 2019 to materialize and formalize the platform through developing a draft Terms of Reference (ToR) and Work Plan for the Framework. The activities under the Regional Collaboration Framework will be reported to the Regional Commission for Asia, the Far East and Oceania.

The 1^st meeting of the ad hoc steering committee aimed at finalizing the Terms of References for the Regional Collaboration Framework; understanding the available technical resources and expertise present within OIE RCs and other institutions for better  resource utilization; and  determining the best communication mechanism among OIE RCs, the Framework, MCs and stakeholders.

More than 25 experts participated in this meeting which composed of OIE designated experts from OIE Collaborating Centres, OIE Reference Laboratories, members of the OIE Aquatic Animal Commission, OIE Focal Points for Aquatic Animals as well as representatives of OIE RRAP, NACA and SEAFDEC. NACA advisory group members and representatives from host country also participated in the meeting as observers.

At the end of the meeting, the ad hoc steering committee agreed the following activities for the year of 2020:

• The 2nd teleconference of the ad hoc steering committee will be organised in early Feb to discuss the implementation details of the flagship activities.
• Development of ways to draw assistance in identifying experts, causative agents, validate test and control measures for Members with the consultation of the Regional Collaboration Framework and logistic support of OIE RRAP.
• OIE will consider organising regional training in OIE PVS aquatic; members of the Regional Collaboration Framework will advocate the benefits of the OIE PVS aquatic tool to the governments.
• The secretariat of the Regional Collaboration Framework (OIE RRAP) will contact the potential candidates and confirm their willingness in leading the activity: collecting existing guidelines and awareness materials on biosecurity and to further refine these documents by evaluating the implementation in small-scaled farms.
• The experts agreed on the research focus and will coordinate as follows:
  • Causative agent of AHPND: Dr Grace Lo;
  • Appropriateness of using WGS: Dr Nick Moody and SEAFDEC;
  • EHP epidemiology and surveillance: SEAFDEC;
  • Comparison of WSD pen-site test: Dr Nick Moody.