Insights from the International Symposium on Veterinary Vaccine and Drug Technology Cooperation
Beijing, December 2024 – From December 20 to 31, 2024, Dr. M. Mohsin Kiani, Sector Specialist – Livestock, Food Security, One Health and Climate Change at the Planning Commission of Pakistan, represented Pakistan at the International Symposium on Veterinary Vaccine and Drug Technology Cooperation Among Belt and Road Countries, hosted in Beijing, China.
The symposium, supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China, brought together veterinary scientists and industry representatives from China, Pakistan, Iran, Bangladesh, and Cambodia. Key discussions focused on major animal disease outbreaks, comprehensive control technologies, and the trade demands of animal vaccine and drug industries within the Belt and Road countries.
The event, organized by the China Agricultural University and the Chinese Veterinary Medicine Association, aimed to share key technologies and standards in animal vaccines and drugs, fostering closer collaboration between participating nations. Prof. Dr. Chen He, a key figure in facilitating scientific and trade relations between Pakistan and China, played a crucial role in the symposium.
Dr. Kiani’s participation provided a valuable platform for Pakistan to engage with leading experts in veterinary medicine and explore opportunities for enhancing animal health and disease control within the country. The symposium was a significant step towards strengthening veterinary collaboration between Pakistan and China under the Belt and Road Initiative.
The symposium provided a valuable platform for Pakistan to engage with China for the development of certified vaccine production for major animal transboundary diseases such as Foot and Mouth Disease, PPR, Avian Influenza, and notified zoonotic diseases like brucellosis and tuberculosis through public and private sector institutes. The shared collaboration between Pakistan and China, along with other Belt and Road countries, in technology transfer and exchange of expertise may significantly help the countries to enhance their exports of animal products while effectively controlling the disease burden within their respective livestock industries.
This version emphasizes the specific goals of Pakistan’s engagement with China, highlighting the importance of vaccine production for key diseases and the potential benefits of collaboration for trade and disease control.