News
Within the framework of ‘’One Health’’ unifying approach, the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture will continue cooperation with the CDC.
Mr. George Khanishvili, the First Deputy Minister of Environmental Protection and Agriculture met with the Delegation of the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
During the meeting, the conversation touched upon the importance of the projects implemented/currently supported by the CDC in Georgia and issues of future collaboration.
Mr. Khanishvili expressed his gratitude to the American side for long-standing support for Georgia in the fields of agriculture, animal health protection, and control/prevention of zoonotic diseases, including strengthening laboratory capacities.
" Support of our partners is crucial for us to ensure the fulfillment of commitments taken under the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement (DCFTA) with the European Union, hence, we need appropriate tech foundations, financial and human resources, and an increase of knowledge. I would like to emphasize the importance of the CDC's financial and technical support in areas that cannot be controlled solely by the state.
Georgia is a part of the world, and epizootic well-being in our country affects other countries as well. Consequently, the implementation of programs for the supervision/control of animal diseases, as well as the eradication of zoonotic diseases is crucial for us. We will work towards those with our best endeavors to ensure that CDC-supported projects are implemented successfully ’’ Mr. Khanishvili said.
During the meeting, the parties discussed the progress and results of CDC-funded joint projects (Avian Influenza Control (ongoing project), food poisoning research project, laboratory capacity building project, rabies project, Crimean-Congo hemorrhagic fever (CCHF) project, and other implemented projects).
The Delegation of the CDC gave positive feedback on the Ministry's efforts and positively evaluated the outcomes. As mentioned, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, along with other Agencies will continue to cooperate and support joint initiatives within the ‘’One Health'' unifying approach.
The representatives of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Agriculture of Georgia and relevant agencies within the system of the Ministry and CDC's Eastern European and Central Asia (EECA) Regional Office attended the meeting.