Astana, 11 September — A three-day regional workshop in Astana concluded with the validation of the Regional Strategy for the Control and Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR), marking an important step towards stronger regional cooperation to combat one of the most significant transboundary animal diseases affecting sheep and goats.
Held from 8 to 10 September 2026, the Central Asia Regional PPR Episystems and Regional Strategy Validation Workshop was co-organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS). The workshop brought together countries to jointly review epidemiological evidence, identify interconnected PPR transmission pathways, validate a common regional strategy, and define priorities for coordinated action.
The event convened representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Türkiye, Iran, and Pakistan, together with experts from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the Islamic Organisation for Food Security (IOFS), the Economic Cooperation Organization (ECO), and development partners.
The programme was deliberately designed to move beyond technical discussions towards practical regional cooperation. The first day focused on the regional epidemiological situation through country presentations and expert sessions on PPR episystems, livestock mobility, wildlife, surveillance, and diagnostic capacities. On the second day, participating countries reviewed and formally validated the regional strategy. The final day shifted attention to implementation, enabling countries to identify national priorities, determine areas where regional collaboration is essential, and explore opportunities for support from development partners.
By bringing together governments, technical agencies, and international partners around a shared strategic framework, the workshop established a foundation for more coordinated surveillance, stronger cross-border cooperation, and future investments aimed at accelerating progress towards the global eradication of PPR while strengthening livestock production, rural livelihoods, and food security across the region.
