1st GF-TADs Regional Conference of Standing Groups of Experts on Priority Transboundary Animal Diseases in the European Region

The Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) is a joint initiative of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO). Established in 2004, GF-TADs promotes global and regional alliances to combat transboundary animal diseases (TADs) through coordination, capacity building, and science-based control programmes.

The GF-TADs for Europe was created in 2005 and focuses on regional priority TADs, including African swine fever (ASF), Lumpy skin disease (LSD), Rabies, Highly Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI), Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD), and Peste des petits ruminants (PPR).

Since 2014, the Standing Groups of Experts (SGEs) have proven essential to Europe’s collective efforts:

• ASF (since 2014)
• LSD (since 2016)
• Rabies (since 2019)
• HPAI (since 2023)

Since their establishment, the Regional Advisory Groups (RAGs) on FMD and PPR have played a key role in fostering regional collaboration and supporting Member countries in their efforts to control and progressively eliminate these transboundary animal diseases. The RAGs provide a platform for the exchange of information, technical guidance, and coordinated planning between Veterinary Authorities, laboratories, and international partners. By pooling expertise and promoting harmonized approaches, the RAGs help countries to strengthen their capacities for surveillance, preparedness, and response for FMD and PPR across the region.

RAGs on FMD

RAGs on PPR

For the first time, the 1st GF-TADs Regional Conference will bring together all SGEs into a single coordinated event. The joint format allows participants to maximize synergies, review progress, and adopt harmonised strategies for controlling priority TADs across Europe.

• Strengthen regional cooperation and coordination on TAD control.
• Share best practices, science-based knowledge, and national experiences.
• Review progress and align strategies of the SGEs and RAGs.
• Enhance Members’ preparedness and veterinary services capacity.
• Address current challenges, including re-emergence of FMD and PPR.

The conference will gather approximately 120 participants in person, including:

• WOAH Delegates, Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs), and animal health officers from 53 WOAH Members in the Europe region.
• Representatives from the European Commission (DG SANTE, EFSA, ECDC), FAO, and WOAH.
• Experts, researchers, and policymakers from the veterinary public health sector.
• Stakeholders from regional alliances and international organisations (EuFMD, WHO, REMESA, IAEA).

Online attendance is free.

Opening Session – 23 September

Welcome & Opening Remarks:

• Dr Budimir Plavšić (WOAH Regional Representative, Regional GF-TADs Secretariat)
• Dr Viorel Gutu (FAO Regional Representative, Assistant Director-General)
• Dr Bernard Van Goethem (DG SANTE, President of GF-TADs for Europe)
• Mr. Predrag Rojević (State Secretary, Acting Head of Veterinary Directorate, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Serbia)

Plenary Session 1

• Updates from GF-TADs, WOAH, FAO, European Commission
• Epidemiological overview from WOAH-WAHIS
• Reports from the Regional Steering Committee and Management Committee

Sessions by Disease Area

• SGE on Lumpy Skin Disease (LSD-14) – Reports from Secretariat, reference labs, and country experiences (Kazakhstan, Italy, France, Switzerland).
• RAG on PPR – Roadmap updates, phylogenetics, country reports (Romania, Albania, Türkiye, Kosovo*, Georgia, Azerbaijan).
• SGE on HPAI (HPAI-3) – Genetic evolution, EFSA risk assessments, WHO input, vaccination policies (France, Netherlands, Serbia).
• SGE on Rabies (RAB-7) – Rabies progress reports, surveillance and re-emergence analysis, prevention strategies, Ukraine case study.
• SGE on ASF (ASF-25) – Decade review, ASF vaccine research, contingency planning (Moldova, Poland, Austria, Serbia), FAO interventions.
• RAG on FMD – Roadmap activities, genome sequencing, country updates (Hungary, Slovakia, Türkiye), WOAH status recovery procedures.

Plenary Session 2 & Closing

• Contributions from FAO, EuFMD, REMESA, ADEWB-2, IAEA.
• General and disease-specific conclusions.
• Closing ceremony led by GF-TADs for Europe leadership.

• Shared strategies and recommendations for ASF, LSD, HPAI, Rabies, FMD, and PPR.
• Strengthened regional cooperation and partnerships.
• Enhanced preparedness and veterinary service capacity.
• Strong reaffirmation of Europe’s leadership in the global fight against TADs.

Side Event 1: 12th Regional Steering Committee of GF-TADs for Europe (RSCE-12)

22 September 2025, 15:00–17:40 | Belgrade, Serbia

Agenda (brief):

• Welcome & Opening – WOAH, FAO, RSC President
• Adoption of Agenda & Chair’s Report
• Global GF-TADs Updates – WOAH & FAO Management Committee
• RSC Composition & Terms of Reference – Updates and revisions
• GF-TADs Action Plan 2023–2027 – Adjustments and priorities
• Conclusions & Next Meeting
• Closing remarks

Expected Outcomes: Updated Terms of Reference, adjusted 2023–2027 Action Plan, and a roadmap for the RSC’s work.

Side Event 2: Meeting of the Regional Core Group (RCG) for Europe

22 September 2025, 10:00–12:45, followed by lunch | Belgrade, Serbia

Agenda (brief):

• Opening & Inauguration – Review of Terms of Reference (Dr Budimir Plavšić & Dr Maris Balodis)
• Strategic Alignment & Updates – WOAH & RCG 2025 Work Plans, WOAH 8th Strategic Plan, Governance Review Committee progress
• Standard-Setting & Subregional Strategy – Planning engagement in the 2025–2026 standard-setting process
• Next Steps & Conclusions – Confirmation of work plan, priorities, and next meeting
• Working Lunch – Informal discussion & networking

Expected Outcomes: Formal inauguration of the RCG, adoption of a consolidated work plan, and a clear strategic vision for the region’s engagement in WOAH’s governance and standard-setting.

Side Event 3: Commemoration of World Rabies Day 2025

24 September 2025 (back-to-back with SGE Rabies session)

This symbolic event will mark World Rabies Day, reinforcing the “Zero by 30” global strategy and Europe’s commitment to eradicating wildlife rabies through oral vaccination campaigns.

Format:

• High-level statements from WOAH, FAO, DG SANTE, and partners (WHO, REMESA).
• Joint regional declaration reaffirming commitment.
• Symbolic group photo of participants.

Expected Outcomes: A strong collective message of solidarity and action towards eliminating dog-mediated rabies and eradicating wildlife rabies in Europe.

Format: Hybrid (in-person & online)

Free Access: Join via Zoom

Contact: [email protected]

Opening & Plenary Sessions

• Dr Budimir Plavšić – WOAH Regional Representative for Europe, Regional GF-TADs Secretariat
• Dr Viorel Gutu – FAO Regional Representative for Europe and Central Asia, Assistant Director-General, FAO
• Dr Bernard Van Goethem – Director, DG SANTE (European Commission), President of GF-TADs for Europe
• Mr. Predrag Rojević – State Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Republic of Serbia
• Dr Madhur Dhingra – FAO, GF-TADs Management Committee
• Dr Baba Soumaré – Deputy Director General, WOAH
• Dr Peter Melens – WOAH HQ, WAHIS Department
• Dr Alexandre Fediaevsky – WOAH HQ
• Dr Mark Hovari – FAO Europe and Central Asia
• Dr Barbara Logar – Deputy Head of Unit, Animal Health Unit, DG SANTE, European Commission

Standing Group of Experts (SGEs) & RAGs

Lumpy Skin Disease (SGE LSD-14)

• Dr Mereke Taitubayev – WOAH Sub-Regional Representative in Astana
• Dr Nick De Regge – EU/WOAH Reference Laboratory, Belgium
• Dr Azamat Umirkul – Ministry of Agriculture, Kazakhstan
• Dr Giovani Filippini – Director General of Animal Health, Italy
• Dr Marie-Christine Le Gal – WOAH Delegate of France
• Dr Martin Reist – Representative of Switzerland

Peste des Petits Ruminants (RAG PPR)

• Dr Abrar Akbarov – WOAH Delegate of Uzbekistan
• Dr Mereke Taitubayev – WOAH Sub-Regional Representative, Astana
• Dr Daniel Beltrán Alcrudo – FAO, Europe and Central Asia
• Dr Arnaud Bataille – CIRAD, WOAH/FAO Reference Centre for PPR
• Dr Dudu Florentina – Romania
• Dr Keti Margariti – Albania
• Dr Sabri Hacıoğlu – Türkiye
• Dr Bafti Murati – Kosovo*
• Dr Tengiz Chaligava – Georgia
• Dr Galib Abdulaliyev – WOAH Delegate of Azerbaijan

Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (SGE HPAI-3)

• Dr Isabella Monne – IZSVe, Italy – WOAH/EU Reference Laboratory for Avian Influenza
• Dr Alessandro Broglia – EFSA, Biological Hazards & Animal Health and Welfare
• Dr Gounalan Pavade – WOAH HQ, OFFLU
• Dr Marc-Alain Widdowson – WHO EURO
• Dr Mišo Kolarević – Veterinary Specialized Institute Kraljevo, Serbia
• Dr Guillaume Gerbier – Ministry of Agriculture and Food Sovereignty, France
• Dr Wim Pelgrim – Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries, Food Security and Nature, Netherlands

Rabies (SGE Rabies-7)

• Dr Anne Meyer – Episystemic (Epidemiology Expert)
• Dr Denise Dubois – SGE Rabies Secretariat
• Dr Emmanuelle Robardet – ANSES Nancy Laboratory, WOAH/EU Reference Laboratory for Rabies
• Dr Florence Cliquet – ANSES Nancy Laboratory, WOAH/EU Reference Laboratory for Rabies
• Dr Olena Kuriata – WHO Ukraine

African Swine Fever (SGE ASF-25)

• Dr Budimir Plavšić – WOAH Regional Representative for Europe
• Dr Sandra Blome – Friedrich-Loeffler-Institut, Germany
• Dr Boban Djurić – WOAH Delegate of Serbia
• Dr Nicolae Malancae – Republic of Moldova
• Dr Joanna Szwast – Poland
• Dr Beate Liehl – Austria
• Dr Mark Hovari – FAO Europe and Central Asia

Foot-and-Mouth Disease (RAG FMD)

• Dr Galib Abdulaliyev – WOAH Delegate of Azerbaijan
• Dr Mereke Taitubayev – WOAH Sub-Regional Representative, Astana
• Dr Guillaume Girault – ANSES, WOAH/FAO Reference Laboratory for FMD
• Dr Szabolcs Pásztor – WOAH Delegate of Hungary
• Dr Martin Chudý – WOAH Delegate of Slovakia
• Dr Sabri Hacıoğlu – Türkiye
• Dr Min-Kyung Park – Head of Status Department, WOAH HQ

Plenary 2 & Partners

• Dr Daniel Beltrán Alcrudo – FAO, Europe and Central Asia
• Dr Dónal Sammin – Executive Secretary, EuFMD
• Dr Rachid Bouguedour – WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa (REMESA)
• Dr Francesco Valentini – WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for North Africa (REMESA)
• Dr Toni Kirandjiski – Team Leader, ADEWB-2 Project
• Dr Ivancho Naletoski – IAEA