Kyrgyzstan strengthens intersectoral cooperation under the One Health Approach

From 1 to 2 July, the Coordination Meeting of the One Health Committee under the Coordination Council for Public Health of the Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic was held in Kemin District, Chuy Province, Kyrgyzstan. The primary objective of the meeting was to enhance interministerial coordination among three priority sectors: veterinary services, public health, and environmental protection. The event brought together representatives from the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture and Processing Industry; the Ministry of Health; the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision of the Kyrgyz Republic; as well as regional experts and specialized professionals.

In his opening remarks, Oleg Guchgeldiyev, FAO Representative in Kyrgyzstan, stated: “Success in countering modern biological threats is directly determined by the timeliness and coherence of our actions. Coordination of interministerial efforts under the One Health approach and the establishment of effective communication channels constitute the bedrock of collective security.”

Chairperson of the Committee Secretariat, Director of the National Institute of Public Health under the Ministry of Health of the Kyrgyz Republic, Jarkynbek Kasymbekov, emphasized that the One Health approach constitutes one of the key instruments for ensuring biological security and strengthening public health under contemporary conditions. He noted that the rising incidence of zoonotic infections, climate change, antimicrobial resistance, and other global challenges necessitate a comprehensive and coordinated response.

“Today, human health issues cannot be addressed in isolation from animal health and the state of the environment. It is precisely for this reason that the One Health approach unites the efforts of the health-care system, veterinary services, environmental protection agencies, the scientific community, international organizations, and other relevant partners,” underscored Jarkynbek Kasymbekov.

He further observed that the Committee's activities are directed towards strengthening intersectoral collaboration, enhancing coordination mechanisms among State bodies, and developing an integrated system for prevention, monitoring, and response to health threats. In his view, the decisions adopted on the basis of the meeting outcomes will constitute an important step towards the further institutionalization of the One Health approach in the Kyrgyz Republic and will contribute to the fulfilment of the country's international commitments in the field of health security.

During the meeting, participants discussed an intersectoral plan for personnel training in emergency response, a strategy for cross-sectoral communication, and a mechanism for monitoring the implementation of Committee decisions. Special attention was devoted to the development of Standard

Operating Procedures for intersectoral cooperation and the establishment of a system for rapid information exchange.

The event was organized under the project “Pandemic Fund (Kyrgyzstan): Pandemic Prevention and Response using a One Health approach in Central Asia.” The project covers five Central Asian countries: Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan and is implemented with support from the Pandemic Fund and the Quadripartite Alliance for One Health. The Alliance comprises FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), and the World Health Organization (WHO).

This initiative aims to ensure effective protection against major disease outbreaks through robust health systems that encompass both humans and animals, while also strengthening the management of pandemic and epidemic threats in Central Asia.

As a result of the meeting, participants identified a set of concrete measures to strengthen coordination among the health, agriculture and environmental sectors. This will enhance the effectiveness of preventive actions and the speed of response to health risks, while also reinforcing the national biosafety system.

The implementation of agreed solutions will contribute to the systematic integration of One Health principles into national strategies and action plans, thereby fostering sustainable development and comprehensive protection of human, animal and environmental health.