ILRI research on food safety and One Health featured at the third Global ODA Forum for Sustainable Agricultural Development

Findings from food safety, zoonoses and One Health research by scientists from the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and partners were presented at the Third Global ODA Forum for Sustainable Agricultural Development held 13-15 May 2019 in Seoul, South Korea.

On the second day of the forum, whose theme was inclusive growth and global partnerships, ILRI hosted side event where Delia Grace, program leader of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program and leader of the food safety flagship in the CGIAR Research Program on Agriculture for Nutrition and Health (A4NH) gave a presentation on food safety and zoonoses. She highlighted the role of human health and nutrition in attaining Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The implications of ILRI’s research findings on zoonoses and food safety on the SDGs were presented and discussed at the session. Participants agreed that international agricultural research for development can contribute to the SDGs by generating evidence for development investments and by discovering and developing new products and approaches.

From left: Hung Nguyen, ILRI regional representative for East and Southeast Asia, Delia Grace, program leader of ILRI’s Animal and Human Health program, and Hu Suk Lee, ILRI veterinary epidemiologist make presentations at the ODA conference in South Korea (photo credit: Korea Rural Economic Institute).

Noting that the SDGs now set the framework for all development work and that livestock plays a critical role in achieving many of the goals, Hung Nguyen, ILRI regional representative for East and Southeast Asia, in particular stressed livestock’s role in achieving SDG1 (no poverty) and SDG2 (zero hunger). He said understanding the role that livestock plays in meeting SDGs will raise awareness and stimulate investments in the sector.

Hu Suk Lee, a scientist at ILRI, presented findings from a planned project that is strengthening capacities for improving human and animal health in Southeast Asia using a One Health approach. The project focuses on capacity development for the government and community in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia to prevent, control or eliminate risks to human and animal health, a key element in ensuring sustainable agricultural development in the region. The project’s work will lead to the development of evidence-based approaches for improving human and animal health using a One Health approach in Vietnam, Laos and Cambodia.

The forum was hosted by the Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs of Korea and organized by the Korea Rural Economic Institute as part of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development.

Watch a video of the ILRI session at the forum