Summary of Accomplishments ASEAN-ADB Project on Strengthening Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN

September 2009-August 2010

Setting New Milestones Against Avian Influenza in ASEAN

The Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) was established on 8 August 1967. The Member States of the Association are Brunei Darussalam, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand and Viet Nam. The ASEAN Secretariat is based in Jakarta, Indonesia. For inquiries, contact: The ASEAN Secretariat Public Outreach and Civil Society Division 70A Jalan Sisingamangaraja Jakarta 12110 Indonesia Phone : (62 21) 724-3372, 726-2991 Fax : (62 21) 739-8234, 724-3504 E-mail : public.div@asean.org General information on ASEAN appears online at the ASEAN Website: www.asean.org Catalogue-in-Publication Data Summary of Accomplishments ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project, September 2009-August 2010 Jakarta: ASEAN Secretariat, September 2010 614.518 1. Avian Influenza Virus 2. ASEAN pandemics pathogenic ISBN 978-602-8411-55-4 The text of this publication may be freely quoted or reprinted with proper acknowledgement. Copyright Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) 2010 All rights reserved

Table of Contents
Message from the Secretary-General of ASEAN Introduction Project Components
Component 1: Integration of Best Practices and Knowledge Management Component 2: Development of Workplans and Mechanisms and Strengthening Regional Coordination Component 3: Development of HPAI Control and Eradication Roadmap 7 9 11

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Summary of the Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020 Contributions and Impacts Conclusion A Call for Continuing Solidarity and Support in the Fight Against HPAI16 Acknowledgement

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Message from the Secretary-General of ASEAN

Since the first outbreak in 2003, the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) has caused significant socio-economic impacts in the region. Over 200 million poultry have either died or culled, which led to economic losses of over US$10 billion to the ASEAN poultry industry, and no less than 330 people contracted the infection of which 200 of them died. As a whole, this zoonotic disease has proven to be detrimental to animal and human health, with significant impacts on food security, economic progress, social stability and livelihoods. As a community of nations, ASEAN raised to the challenge of addressing HPAI collectively, with one vision: investing in sustainable prevention, control and eradication strategies at the animal level (at-source) to reduce the threat to humans and to the economic and social development of its peoples. Through the multisectoral cooperation led by the animal and human health sectors; establishment of regional workplans and mechanisms such as the HPAI Taskforce and its strategic plans; and the continued support of and cooperation with technical and development partners, the region was able to manage and significantly control this dreadful disease. At the forefront of this collective effort is the ASEAN-ADB Project on Strengthening Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in ASEAN, with its first phase implemented from March 2006 to February 2008. As a follow-up, this second phase of the Project (September 2009 - August 2010) is aimed at enhancing the coordinative and technical capacities of the ASEAN as guided by the ASEAN Regional Strategy for the Progressive Control and Eradication of HPAI (2008-2010). This Summary of Accomplishments presents the range of activities and initiatives that the Project facilitated and supported to complement national and other regional programmes in addressing HPAI and other disease threats of transboundary and zoonotic in nature. In dealing with this multi-dimensional disease, the Project, as implemented by the ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN HPAI Taskforce, complemented integrated approaches and promoted multi-sectoral collaboration with development partners and relevant stakeholders. On behalf of the ASEAN Secretariat, I would like to take this opportunity to convey my sincere appreciation to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), through the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project, for their continued support in strengthening ASEANs regional coordination capacity in controlling and eradicating HPAI and other disease threats. Your contributions will surely hasten the attainment of our vision of a progressive and safer ASEAN.

Dr. SURIN PITSUWAN

Secretary-General of ASEAN

Introduction
During the period March 2006 to February 2008, the Asian Development Bank (ADB) funded the project on Strengthening the ASEAN Secretariats Capacity for Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI) in ASEAN (first phase). In implementing the project, the ASEAN Secretariat through the HPAI Taskforce, conducted activities under the eight strategic focus areas of the Regional Framework and facilitated the development of the new ASEAN Regional Strategy for the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN (2008-2010). ASEAN also enhanced collaboration and partnerships with relevant partners such as the ADB, World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO), Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), European Commission (EC), Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA) and others. As a follow-up to the gains of the first phase, the ASEAN Secretariat implemented the second phase of the ASEAN-ADB Project on Strengthening Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN (September 2009-August 2010). Specifically, the project aimed at facilitating technical capacity strengthening through three strategic areas: 1) best practice integration and knowledge management; b) development of workplans, mechanisms and regional coordination; and c) HPAI control and eradication Roadmap. To ensure synergies with other ongoing global and regional initiatives, this project complemented the Global Framework for the progressive control of transboundary animal diseases (GFTADs), One World One Health approach, establishment of a regional coordination mechanism on animal health and zoonoses, and with the ASEAN Community-building processes.

Executive Summary Project Components

As transboundary animal diseases (TADs) and other highly pathogenic emerging diseases (HPED) continue to threaten human health and food security globally, ASEAN needs to strengthen its emergency preparedness and response capabilities. This can be done through a well-defined, operational, and in the long-term, institutionalised systems and framework for regional technical collaboration, partnership and integration that would enable ASEAN Member States to better address disease threats at-source and continue to collectively strengthen regional capacities. The three components of the ASEAN-ADB Project on Strengthening Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN are geared towards concerted regional efforts aimed at strengthening ASEAN capacity. Component 1: Best Practice Integration and Knowledge Management Component 2: Development of Workplans, Mechanisms and Regional Coordination Component 3: Development of HPAI Control and Eradication Roadmap

Component 1: Best Practice Integration and Knowledge Management

The component on Best Practice Integration and Knowledge Management is aimed at strengthening regional capacity through stock-taking and sharing of experiences and lessons learnt by the Member States and partner organisations in the control and eradication of HPAI. To this end, series of exchanges and meetings have been conducted to gather and share valuable information and experiences as inputs to the knowledge materials expected from this Project.

Development and Publication of a Book (Prevention, Control and Eradication of

Avian Inuenza in ASEAN: Strategies and Success Stories)
This reference book is published by the project under the auspices of the ASEAN HPAI Taskforce, and the leadership of the ASEAN Sectoral Working Group on Livestock (ASWGL). The publication is intended to serve as a source of in-depth information on the ASEANs efforts to control and eradicate HPAI in the region. Strategies, obstacles, as well as achievements of the Member States at the country level are highlighted in this book. Beyond the messages of existing experiences, possible replication and future development and implementation of the efforts are also highlighted. Potential cooperation on animalhuman health cooperation by mainstreaming it with the progressive control of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses in the broader context of One World One Health initiative is also underscored. This publication is also aimed at highlighting the collaboration efforts of the Member States and partners towards the goals of the ASEAN community-building process, raising the profile of ASEAN-ADB Project on HPAI, as well as to serve as regional resource and reference for current and future initiatives in addressing emerging/re-emerging diseases of transboundary and/or zoonotic in nature.

Production of a Policy Advocacy Video

(Towards an Avian Inuenza-Free and Safer ASEAN)

The video is produced as an advocacy tool for the continuing support to HPAI eradication initiatives in the region. It outlines ASEANs initiatives in the control and eradication of HPAI, its investments in preventive and control strategies at the animal level in ensuring to stop the disease at-source, and in eventually preventing disease emergence. The video also demonstrates the economic and social losses to be incurred if the disease persists in the region and calls on the governments of the Member States and its dialogue partners for sustainable policy and budget support. The video includes interviews with and messages from the ASEAN Secretary-General Surin Pitsuwan, ASEAN Deputy Secretary-General S. Pushpanathan, ASEAN HPAI Taskforce Chairperson Kamarudin Md. Isa (Malaysia), Indonesia Minister of Agriculture Suswono, Viet Nam Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development Cau Duc Phat and ADB Practice Leader (Health) Jacques Jeugmans.

Initiating and Compiling a Database of Experts (Directory of ASEAN HPAI Experts)

As agreed by the representatives of the Member States during the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project Inception Workshop, a roster/directory of ASEAN experts on HPAI would be developed. This directory is seen as an essential tool to share and maximise the built-in expertise among the Member States in order to achieve HPAI-Free ASEAN by 2020. This directory includes HPAI experts from public and private sectors as well as from allied veterinary/medical services (e.g., microbiologist, virologist, epidemiologist, etc.).

Component 2: Development of Workplans, Mechanisms and Regional Coordination

As a facilitator and coordinator of the Member States, the ASEAN Secretariat, in progressing with the component on the Development of Workplans, Mechanisms and Regional Coordination, focused on the implementation of the proposed workplan developed during the Inception Workshop in March 2010 in Bali, Indonesia, and endorsed by the 9 th HPAI Taskforce. The workplan outlines continued and intensified regional efforts through strengthening veterinary services, regional coordination on animal health and zoonoses, greater animalhuman health collaboration and enhanced partnerships and cooperation among development partners, considering their comparative advantages.

ASEAN -ADB Inception Workshop on the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN and the 9th ASEAN HPAI Taskforce Annual Meeting 3-5 March 2010 in Bali, Indonesia

Establishment of a Regional Coordination Mechanism on Animal Health and Zoonoses

Effective control of transboundary animal diseases requires coordination of activities at multiple levels (national, regional and global). A unified and broader approach to regional coordination is required to address current priority diseases as well as provide for effective response to new, emerging or re-emerging infectious disease threats. Thus, a study supported by the Australian Agency for International Development (AusAID) was conducted to assess and present feasible models of regional coordination arrangements for TADs, including zoonoses and explore regional strategies that will enhance the animal sectors capacity to more effectively collaborate with the human health sector in addressing emerging and neglected zoonotic diseases in ASEAN. The ASEAN-ADB Project has facilitated the efforts of ASEAN to strengthen regional coordination by providing a venue for the dissemination and preliminary discussion on the outcomes of the ASEAN Study on Regional Coordination of Animal Health and Zoonoses during the Inception Workshop in Bali in March 2010. It also organised and facilitated the Workshop on Regional Coordination Mechanism in May 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR with four key recommendations, which were subsequently endorsed by the 18th ASWGL Meeting on 5-7 May 2010.

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Workshop on Regional Coordination Mechanism 3-7 May 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR

Special Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the 31st ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) 2-3 August 2010 in Brunei Darussalam

The Project also succeeded in seeking support from the Special Senior Officials Meeting (SOM) of the 31st ASEAN Ministers on Agriculture and Forestry (AMAF) held on 2-3 August 2010 in Brunei Darussalam that endorsed the recommendations made during the 18 th ASWGL Meeting. More specifically, the Meeting has agreed on the following: i) The ASEAN Member States to conduct an in-country in-depth review and consultation on the recommendations for further consideration and decision by the SOM-AMAF; ii) Agreed on the establishment of a Regional Coordination Mechanism for Animal Health and Zoonoses; iii) Agreed on the establishment of an ad-hoc Task Force to develop detailed proposal and plan and requested the ASWGL, through an ad referendum, to draft the Terms of Reference (TOR) for consideration by SOM-AMAF; and iv) Agreed to request technical inputs and support from development partners/ donor agencies (i.e., ADB, AusAID, EC, FAO and OIE) for the preparatory process of the establishment of a RCM. The next step would be the endorsement and further guidance from 32 nd SOM-AMAF and AMAF Meetings on 20-26 October 2010.

Activities in Support of Regional Mechanisms

The Project has successfully conducted and facilitated the ASEAN-ADB Inception Workshop on HPAI and the 9 th ASEAN HPAI Taskforce Meeting in March 2010. The Project has also participated actively on related regional and international coordination meetings and workshops such as the 16 th Meeting of OIE Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD); ASEAN-United Nations System Influenza Coordination (UNSIC) Regional Workshop on Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Preparedness Assessment Methodology; and the World Health Organisation-European Commission (WHO-EC) Meeting on Strengthening Surveillance and Response Capacity for HPED. The Project was also represented in the workshop for Preparing Indonesia for Influenza Pandemic held jointly by European Union and Government of Indonesia; and, Meeting on Communication and Information Systems for the Control of Avian Influenza held jointly by ASEAN Foundation and Japan-ASEAN Solidarity Fund. The Project also participated in the AusAID-funded ASEAN Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Programme Phase II Completion Meeting on 7-8 June 2010 in Brunei Darussalam. The Meeting was an opportunity to present the achievements of the ASEAN Plus Three EID Programme and share with the Member States and other regional stakeholders the five-year term plan for regional collaboration in addressing EIDs under the SOMHD plan for 2010-2015 based on the the ASEAN Socio-Cultural Community (ASCC) Blueprint.

6th Meeting of OIE Sub-Commission for Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) 15-19 March 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR

ASEAN-UNSIC Regional Workshop on Multi-Sectoral Pandemic Preparedness Assessment Methodology 22-23 February 2010 in Jakarta, Indonesia

ASEAN Plus Three Emerging Infectious Diseases (EID) Programme Phase II Completion Meeting 7-8 June 2010 in Brunei Darussalam

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Component 3: Development of HPAI Control and Eradication Roadmap

In achieving HPAI-Free ASEAN by 2020, a long-term strategy with key milestones is seen very essential. Having endorsed by the HPAI Taskforce at its 9th Meeting, the Project facilitated the implementation of activities of the newly created Technical Working Group (TWG) to develop the Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020. The core group members for the development of the Roadmap include five Member States represented by Cambodia (Dr. Sorn San), Indonesia (Dr. Agus Wiyono), Malaysia (Dr. Kamarudin Md Isa), Singapore (Dr. Leong Hong Keong), Viet Nam (Dr. Van Dang Ky) and ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project (Dr. Solomon Benigno). The rest of the TWG membership includes representatives from partner and sectoral organisations such as FAO, OIE, ASEAN Secretariat, ASEAN Expert Group on Communicable Diseases (AEGCD), poultry industry and agriculture and health ministries.

Technical Meetings for the Development of the Roadmap

Held on 26-27 April 2010 at ASEAN Secretariat, Jakarta, Indonesia, the First Technical Working Group Meeting was attended by 17 participants and agreed on the regional objectives, key elements and conceptual framework for the development of the Roadmap as well as on the detailed framework, workplan and initial draft. It was also agreed that the HPAI Taskforce would update on the progress and seek continued support from the ASWGL for this First Technical Working Group Meeting initiative, which was 26-27 April 2010 in Jakarta, Indonesia subsequently done during th their 18 Meeting on 5-7 May 2010 in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This ASWGL Meeting also agreed that the proposed HPAI Roadmap will be subjected to an ad-referendum approval and to be endorsed at the next Special SOM-AMAF by the first week of August 2010. As agreed at the first TWG Meeting, the Second Technical Working Group Meeting was conducted in Hanoi, Viet Nam on 30 June 1 July 2010, and was attended by 24 participants representing all TWG core members, FAO, OIE, Ministry of Agriculture and Ministry of Health of Viet Nam, as well as poultry industry representatives in Viet Nam. The Meeting was able to improve the draft HPAI Roadmap ready for final editing. The Meeting also agreed to engage the services of a professional editor and subsequently to be submitted for an ad-referendum approval and endorsement by relevant ASEAN sectoral and ministerial bodies such as the ASWGL, AEGCD, SOM-AMAF, Senior Officials Meeting on Health Development (SOM-HD) and AMAF.

The Roadmap is due for circulation to all Member States and related partners during the conclusion of the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project, and will be published after the AMAF endorsement.

Second Technical Working Group Meeting 30 June - 01 July 2010 in Hanoi, Viet Nam

Field Visits and Consultations

In order to provide a more holistic perspective and adapt appropriate approaches and strategies in the development of the Roadmap, country visits and consultations by the TWG core members were also conducted. These activities were carried-out in the two Member States (Indonesia and Viet Nam) where HPAI is still persistent and entrenched. The visit and consultation in Indonesia was conducted on 28-29 April 2010 while the activities in Viet Nam were held on 29 June 2010. Both events generated valuable information and experiences from key stakeholders (agriculture and health ministries, poultry industry organisations, and development partners such as FAO, OIE, etc.), which were incorporated into the Roadmap.

Field Visits and Consultations in Indonesia 28-29 April 2010

Field Visits and Consultations in Viet Nam 29 June 2010

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Summary of the Roadmap for an 14 HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020 Summary of the Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020
The Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020 provides a long-term strategic framework towards the prevention, control and eradication of HPAI and other HPED* in the region. It provides directional and actionThe Roadmap broad HPAI-Free oriented strategies and a for an vision that ASEAN integrates Community by 2020 elements withlong-term lessons learnt and key provides a strategic frameworkstowards the prevention, previous regional framework and ongoing control such as the Global Framework regional initiativesand eradication of HPAI and other HPED* in the region. It provides directional and actionfor the Progressive Control of Transboundary oriented strategies and One World Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) and the a broad vision that integrates lessons learnt and key elements with One Health approach. previous regional frameworks and ongoing regional initiatives such as goals and The Roadmap provides strategic the Global Framework for the Progressive and consists of actions to attain its vision Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) and the One World strategic components that include strengthening One Health progressive zoning and of veterinary services,approach. cross-border management, vaccine and The Roadmap provides strategic goals and vaccination strategy, stamping-out, surveillance, actions to attain and bio-security market chain management its vision and consists of strategic components that include strengthening enhancement. In addition, cross-cutting strategies of veterinary services, progressive zoning and are also presented reinforcing the fact cross-border management, vaccine and that controlling and eradicating HPAI as a multivaccination strategy, stamping-out, surveillance, dimensional disease requires multi-disciplinary, market multi-agency cooperation and multi-sectoral and chain management and bio-security enhancement. In addition, cross-cutting collaboration. strategies are also presented reinforcing the fact that controlling and eradicating HPAI as a multidimensional disease requires multi-disciplinary, multi-sectoral to multi-agency cooperation broader context of ASEANs initiative The Roadmap also aimsandmainstream HPAI into the and collaboration. for the establishment of a regional coordination mechanism on animal health and zoonoses. This is also consistent with the ASEAN Charter that calls for strengthening regional solidarity to realise an ASEAN Community that is politically cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible in order to effectively respond to current and future challenges and The opportunities. Roadmap also aims to mainstream HPAI into the broader context of ASEANs initiative for the establishment of a regional coordination mechanism on animal health and zoonoses. This is also the Roadmap the ASEAN Charter that calls for Secretariat and HPAI The implementation ofconsistent withwill be coordinated by the ASEANstrengthening regional solidarity to realise an ASEAN Community that is politicallyof action plans at the national Taskforce by overseeing the implementation and alignment cohesive, economically integrated and socially responsible FAO/OIE Global Framework for the control of transboundary level, and closely linked with thein order to effectively respond to current and future challenges and opportunities. Framework for Transboundary Animal Diseases), in the short term, animal diseases (Global and will become the blueprint for the institutionalised regional coordination mechanism on The implementation the mid- and long-term. Ultimately, the Member States which animal health and zoonoses, inof the Roadmap will be coordinated by the ASEAN Secretariat and HPAI implementTaskforceprogrammes forthe implementation and alignment of action plans at the national national by overseeing HPAI and other HPEDs, will be the main implementers level, and closely linked with the FAO/OIE Global Framework for the control of transboundary of this Roadmap. animal diseases (Global Framework for Transboundary Animal Diseases), in the short term, and will become the blueprint for the institutionalised regional coordination mechanism on animal health and zoonoses, in the mid- and long-term. Ultimately, the Member States which implement national programmes for HPAI and other HPEDs, will be the main implementers of this Roadmap.

Contributions and Impacts

The initiation of the second phase of the ASEAN-ADB Project on Strengthening Regional Coordination in the Control and Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN provided a broader approach into the HPAI initiatives in the region. While technical and development organisations continue to work on technical and capacity building, the HPAI Project continued to provide support to ASECs thrust of providing policy direction and coordination among the Member States and in mainstreaming animal health into the realms of food security, poverty alleviation and public health security. The Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020 and the establishment of a Regional Coordination Mechanism within the context of ongoing initiatives such as GF-TADs, multisectoral approaches and One World One Health will provide a long-term and sustainable regional effort in setting the foundation of a safer and more productive ASEAN. The Projects support to the ASEAN Secretariat and to the ASEAN HPAI Taskforce has been commended by the ASEAN Member States and related partners in the HPAI campaign. Cognizant of its mandate to support the strengthening of regional coordination, the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project has contributed significantly in facilitating stronger collaboration and coordination among the Member States and with related international partners and organisations. The Project, through the specific initiatives, was also able to start the engagement of other stakeholders and sectors such as the poultry industry organisations and public health. Recognising the multi-dimensionality of HPAI as an issue and a concern, the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project has been an active participant and supporter to the various platforms and frameworks for dialogue and cooperation in attaining an HPAI-free and safer ASEAN. Such cooperation efforts are in line with the broader context of mainstreaming the HPAI campaign into the ongoing initiatives and frameworks of the GF-TADs, One World One Health, establishment of a regional mechanism on animal health and zoonoses, and with the ASEAN Community-building process.

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Conclusion

With the aim to strengthen ASEAN Secretariats capacity for regional coordination in the control and eradication of HPAI, the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project was able to provide tangible support in the initiation of milestone-setting and long-term mechanisms to ensure sustainable progression of efforts to eradicate the disease. The Projects major contribution is the development of the Roadmap for an HPAI-Free ASEAN Community by 2020 which will help to control and progressively eradicate the deadly virus by promoting the overall improvement of the livestock sector. Particularly, this involves strengthening the veterinary services that serve as a foundation in the effective management of animal diseases whether they are zoonotic or non-zoonotic in nature.

Moreover, the Projects continued support towards ASEAN Secretariats initiation for the establishment of a unified and broader approach to regional coordination will improve ASEANs capacity to address current priority diseases as well as provide effective response to new, emerging or re-emerging infectious disease threats such as HPAI. Despite the considerable achievements made in the control and eradication of HPAI in the region, collaborative efforts to ensure sustainability of the campaign should be strengthened. Therefore, it is recommended that all the major stakeholders in the Project (ASEAN Member States, ASEAN Secretariat and ADB) should continue to work together with other relevant technical and development partners and sectors to incrementally improve the capacities of the region. This would call on all Member States to support each other in managing HPAI at-source and in the control and eradication of other priority diseases that pose significant risks to animals and humans, livelihood, food security and public health safety.

ASEAN Secretary-Generals Call for Action Towards the Eradication of HPAI in ASEAN

Our vision is to establish an ASEAN Community by 2015, built on three pillars: political security, economic, and socio cultural. In order to achieve that community, social progress and economic development must also be strengthened. With this, we need a healthy population and the campaign to eradicate the highly pathogenic avian influenza will certainly contribute to making the region safer, and contribute to our food safety and food security. This will be a big boost in achieving our overall goal of having an ASEAN Community that is robust, healthy, progressive and secure. I call on the relevant Ministries of the ASEAN Member States to continue our full political support and commitment by adopting supportive policies to eradicate Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza in ASEAN; I ask our technical partners and stakeholders to join us in launching a coordinated and robust campaign to fight this disease; I encourage our private sector to work with us as partners, as part of our common commitment for a healthy and prosperous ASEAN; I invite the donor community and dialogue partners to join us in building the ASEAN community and help our region to eradicate the disease that could affect our economic growth and social development; and

Dr. SURIN PITSUWAN Secretary-General of ASEAN

Most of all, I express my personal commitment that ASEAN will spare no efforts to eradicate this disease, and with your help, we will succeed in this common endeavour.

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Acknowledgement

We are thankful to the many people and organisations for their contribution and support during the implementation of this Project, without which, these accomplishments would not have been possible....
...to the ASEAN Member States for sharing their knowledge and experiences; and for their active cooperation and participation in the Project activities; ...to the ASEAN HPAI Taskforce Members for their expertise, valuable insights and leadership in the implementation of the Project activities; ...to our technical and development partners for their contributions in enhancing the capacities of our key stakeholders; ...to the Asian Development Bank for the continuous support in our regional coordination initiatives; ...to the ASEAN Secretariat Team for providing direction and support; and ...finally, to the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project Management Team for their dedication and able assistance during the setting of new milestones against HPAI.

The ASEAN Secretariat

The ASEAN Secretariat and the ASEAN-ADB HPAI Project Management Team, with the ASEAN HPAI Taskforce Chairperson Jakarta, Indonesia