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Central Asia Regional Conference on Avian Influenza Control and Human Influenza Pandemic Preparedness and Response

To enable countries of Central Asia and of neighbouring countries to share experience and discuss a common approach to control the spread of avian influenza among poultry, mitigate the social and economic impact of avian influenza outbreaks, and improve preparedness for a possible human influenza pandemic.

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Livelihoods of smallholders and food security are jeopardized by the spread of avian influenza, which has been decimating poultry in an increasing number of countries, including in Central Asia. Avian influenza has also caused suffering and death in humans and experts fear that it may transform into a new influenza pandemic. A global influenza pandemic could have catastrophic social and economic consequences. The meeting in Almaty, Kazakhstan, is a regional follow-up to global-level meetings held in Geneva (Partners Meeting on Avian Influenza and Human Pandemic Influenza;* 7-9 November 2005) and Beijing (International Pledging Conference on Avian and Human Influenza;* 17-18 January 2006), and will follow a Senior Official Meeting in Vienna (Senior Officials’ Meeting on Avian and Human Pandemic Influenza,* 6-7 June 2006).

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• Review lessons from past outbreak control management and preparedness planning;
• Review what needs to be done to mitigate social and economic impact of avian influenza outbreaks, and potential public disruption due to an influenza pandemic;
• Identify appropriate mechanisms to improve regional collaboration and multisectoral coordination to fight avian influenza and emerging infectious diseases in general

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Senior government representatives from 10 countries: Afghanistan, Azerbaijan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Mongolia, People's Republic of China (including Xinjiang Uyghur Autonomous Region), Russian Federation, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. From each country officials of different sectors (human and animal health, preparedness and contingency planning) will participate. Attendance is by invitation only.

• View Participants List [ PDF ]

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• Evidence-based action plan for regional collaborative disease control and prevention activities endorsed by government officials for Central Asia and neighbouring countries;
• Framework for donor coordination for the control of avian influenza and influenza pandemic preparedness planning in the region;
• Agreement on priority actions and on key indicators to monitor progress in the region, and to track the use of funds.

High-level officials from international organizations attending

• Jacques Jeugmans, Yukihiro Shiroishi (Asian Development Bank, Manila)
• Ray Arthur ** (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,* Atlanta)
• Michael Favorov ** (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention,* Almaty)
• Peet Tüll (European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control*)
• Giancarlo Ferrari ** (FAO,* Rome)
• Nikola Belev, Christiane Bruschke, Evgani Nipoklonov, Nokolae Vlasov (OiE,* Paris)
• Christina Carlson ** (UNDP Regional Bureau for Europe and the CIS,* New York)
• Morten Giersing ** (UNICEF Regional Office for CEE/CIS,* Geneva)
• Simon Strickland ** (UN System Influenza Coordination,* New York)
• Andrew Clements (USAID,* Washington)
• Annette Dixon (World Bank, Office for Central Asia Region,* Almaty)
• Michael Perdue ** (WHO Global Influenza Programme,* Geneva)
• Bernardus Ganter ** (WHO Regional Office for Europe,* Copenhagen)

[** keynote speakers]

Languages/ interpretation
English, Russian, Chinese

Co-sponsors

Asian Development Bank, the Central Asia Regional Economic Cooperation Program (CAREC), Centers for Disease Control and Prevention* and U.S. Agency for International Development*, the European Commission*, United Nations System agencies (FAO*, UNDP*, UNICEF*, UNSIC*, WHO*), and the World Bank*

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Alatau Health Resort

Kamenka Village,
Almaty, Kazakhstan
Tel: +(7)- 3272- 549 737
Fax: +(7)- 3272- 549 681