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27 Sep 2023 (Japan) – Representatives of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Regional Representation for Asia and the Pacific (RRAP) participated in the 16th Asian Society of Conservation Medicine (ASCM) Conference, “Strengthening Partnerships in Wildlife Health and Conservation”, held this 10 to 12 October 2023.
It was an opportunity for WOAH to engage with other stakeholders in the wildlife sector from across the region, highlighting ongoing and new activities. Participation also paves the way for future collaborations between WOAH and other organisations such as ASCM and the Wildlife Disease Association (WDA) in the region.
The joint session on 12 October was organised by WOAH in association with WDA Asia Pacific (WDA-AP) and National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention (NIWDC), with a focus on wildlife trade. Dr Lesa Thompson, Regional Project Officer (WOAH RRAP), presented WOAH activities on wildlife health, including discussion of the Wildlife Health Framework (WHF) “Protecting wildlife health to achieve One Health”, the basis of WOAH’s Global Strategy on Wildlife Health. WOAH alternate Focal Point for Wildlife for the Republic of Korea Dr Jusun Hwang gave a presentation on the “importance of disease surveillance and reporting in wildlife”.
The rest of the session’s activities included a plenary discussion, co-chaired by WDA member Dr Alex Grioni from Kadoorie Farm and Botanic Garden in Hong Kong SAR, on reducing disease risk in wildlife trade, and using laws, policies and wildlife forensics to tackle illegal wildlife trade. Invited speakers included a WOAH ad hoc group member, Mr James Compton from TRAFFIC, another WOAH Focal Point for Wildlife, Dr Anna Wong from Singapore, and the international legal expert Ms Patti Moore. The chair of the WDA-AP, Dr Toshio Tsubota, presented conclusions of the session.
The aim of the ASCM is to bring together students, practitioners, professionals, and academics for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and skills in the field of conservation medicine in Asia. It is an Associate Member of the Asian Association of Veterinary Schools (AAVS), for which WOAH RRAP supports the secretariat, and the Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA).
is to bring together students, practitioners, professionals, and academics for the advancement and dissemination of knowledge and skills in the field of conservation medicine in Asia.
Since 2014, ASCM has collaborated with WDA to hold joint sessions; WOAH also sponsored the 2022 International WDA Conference. The WOAH Focal Point and alternate Focal Point for Wildlife for the Republic of Korea both work at the National Institute of Wildlife Disease Control and Prevention (NIWDC).
NIWDC was established to work on a One Health system in the country to manage domestic and international wildlife diseases. The institute is a co-organiser of the conference.
To date, there have been 15 ASCM regional conferences/meetings. Participants come from across Asia and the Pacific, representing many stakeholders in the wildlife sector – including veterinarians, academics, staff at rescue and rehabilition centres, and undergraduate/postgraduate students. The venue for the 16th ASCM Conference was Jeju Island, Republic of Korea. The main programme ran from 10-12 October 2023.
A full conference agenda is available here: https://ascm2023.kr/#program.
Some of the session contributors: Moses Tay (representing Anna Wong on site), Toshio Tsubota, James Compton, Patti Moore, Alex Grioni, Lesa Thompson. (Photo credit: WOAH)
