African Swine Fever (ASF) continues to pose a significant threat to global animal health and food security. Despite ongoing efforts, critical knowledge gaps remain in its management. To address these challenges, a new WOAH project — “ASF Control: From Theory to Practice”—has been launched with the generous support of Italy. The project is implemented with the technical assistance of WOAH and aims to strengthen the capacities of beneficiary countries — Armenia, Georgia, North Macedonia, Kazakhstan, and Serbia — to prevent, respond to, and ultimately eradicate ASF.
The kick-off meeting of the project was held on April 1st, 2025, at the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Veterinary Directorate of the Republic of Serbia, in Belgrade. The event took place thanks to the warm hospitality of the Serbian Veterinary Services and the WOAH Delegate of Serbia.
During the meeting, the project’s proposed activities were presented and discussed, considering the specific needs and contexts of each participating country. The project also draws on the extensive expertise of the Italian National Reference Laboratory at IZSUM (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale dell’Umbria e delle Marche), a key player in ASF control efforts.
The meeting was a critical step in ensuring a shared understanding of the project’s objectives and methodologies, while also offering an opportunity for beneficiary countries to provide valuable feedback and contribute to shaping the project’s implementation.
