Hanoi (VNS/VNA) - The COVID-19 pandemic brought people's attention tozoonotic diseases — transmitted between animals and humans — and the risks ofbush meat consumption to global health security, experts said.

However, the wildlife trade is still a common source of livelihood in manycountries in Southeast Asia.

The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development (MARD) in close collaborationwith the Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO), theUnited Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC), and the United NationsEnvironment Programme (UNEP) kicked off the Safety Across Asia for the GlobalEnvironment (SAFE) project last week.

This project aims to reduce zoonotic disease risks at high-risk wildlifefacilities with the generous support of the European Union.

During opening remarks, Vuong Tien Manh, an expert from the MARD, stated thatthis project would boost the government's effort toward reducing the risks ofwildlife trade and bush meat consumption.

"Over the past few years, the Vietnamese Government has been strengtheningsurveillance systems and promoting responsible wildlife trade practices whilepreserving livelihoods, enhancing biosecurity in farms and markets, andimproving awareness of zoonotic diseases,” Manh said.

“This project will strengthen our work and help us improve captive wildlifemanagement according to the draft national plan," he said.

The SAFE project is a joint initiative implemented in the Laos People’sDemocratic Republic, Sabah state of Malaysia, Thailand and Vietnam.

FAO Vietnam Emergency Centre for Trans-boundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) SeniorTechnical Coordinator Pawin Padungtod explained that FAO is implementing theSAFE project in Vietnam to support the government in identifying high-riskfacilities, including socio-economic impact and risk mitigation, enabling thedevelopment of improved national policies and regional cooperation towardsbetter pandemic prevention and preparedness.

The project will also support the development of regional biosafety standardsand joint strategies within the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN),ultimately strengthening cooperation, and sharing best practices between Vietnamand other ASEAN countries.

Through the One Health approach, efforts are also being made to enhancecollaboration between the public health, animal health and environmentalsectors.

"The SAFE project was conceived with a clear focus on reducing the risksof future pandemics by targeting both health and crime risks associated withwildlife facilities," says Jenna Dawson-Faber, UNODC SAFE projectcoordinator.

"It requires collective action among stakeholders to achieve this purpose.And I am grateful that Vietnam and other project countries are continuing toengage with all relevant partners to ensure the project results will benefitthe country, ASEAN and global communities," she said./.