A meeting of the Pacific Heads of Veterinary and Animal Production Services (PHOVAPS) Network this month will further support the development of regional agricultural capacity.
The meeting will coordinate and strengthen animal health and production, biosecurity, veterinary capability and capacity, disease surveillance and preparedness, animal welfare, One Health approaches, climate resilience, and food and nutrition security in the Pacific.
It is funded by the Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry, and is delivered in partnership with the Pacific Community (SPC) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH).
Australia's Chief Veterinary Officer Dr Beth Cookson will attend this month's meeting with representatives from the department's Pacific Engagement Program for Animal Health.
"Animal production is central to the culture, economy and food security of Pacific nations," Dr Cookson said.
"Strengthening Pacific animal health, production and biosecurity improves food security, nutrition and livelihoods, and protects our region from animal disease threats.
"My team works closely with regional partners, including SPC and WOAH, to provide key strategic, technical and mentoring support to the network. As a standing member of the PHOVAPS Council, I am committed to growing the network's capacity and impact.
"Supporting the network will help us to strengthen our relationships across the Pacific, and to maintain Australia's reputation as a trusted partner to ensure the shared security and prosperity of our region."
This month's gathering, from 16 to 18 October in Nadi, Fiji, will be the second face-to-face meeting since the network was re-established in 2021.
The network is the Pacific's key decision-making structure and coordination mechanism for regional animal health, welfare, production, and biosecurity matters.
It includes representation from all 22 Pacific Island countries and territories, as well as Australia, New Zealand, UK, USA and France.
