Representatives of Veterinary Services, regional networks and technical partners from across the Caucasus and Central Asia met in Ganja, Azerbaijan, from 1 to 3 July 2026, for a strategic meeting of the Regional Advisory Groups (RAGs) for FMD and PPR in West Eurasia. The meeting was jointly organized by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs).
The continued circulation of multiple FMD virus lineages, the emergence of exotic SAT1 and SAT2 serotypes, and the ongoing spread of PPR into previously free areas underline the need for stronger regional governance, harmonized surveillance and vaccination approaches, and closer cross-border cooperation. The meeting built on a 2024 Baku review that found the RAGs’ advisory role underused, a November 2025 Dushanbe roadmap meeting that reconfirmed RAG composition for 2025–2027, and a 2026 GF-TADs Europe Standing Group of Experts meeting that flagged growing disease connectivity between Europe and the region.
The programme opened with a transboundary disease emergency response exercise hosted by Azerbaijan’s National Veterinary Services, followed by a workshop-style review of RAG governance, regional epidemiological updates (including SAT1/SAT2 and PPR/PMAT gaps), a simulation-based country progression exercise, and breakout groups on work-planning.
Participants agreed a strengthened RAG operational framework and workplan for 2026–2027, improved guidance for country progression reviews, closer links with the EpiNet and WelNet networks, a clearer process to support countries seeking WOAH official status or endorsement, a new coordination interface with the GF-TADs Europe expert group, and a quarterly monitoring matrix. Consolidated recommendations call on Member States to strengthen cross-border information sharing and harmonized surveillance; on FAO and WOAH to sustain regional coordination and technical support; and on laboratories, vaccine manufacturers, and donors to maintain investment in regional preparedness.
By reconfirming the operational role of the FMD and PPR RAGs and establishing a structured interface with the GF-TADs Europe expert network, the Ganja meeting positions West Eurasia to provide stronger strategic leadership, technical oversight, and systematic follow-up support for country-level disease control and eradication efforts: reinforcing the region’s contribution to global progress toward FMD control and PPR eradication by 2030.
Regional Advisory Group (RAG): Membership, Terms of Reference, Dr Min-Kyung PARK, WOAH Co-chair of GF-TADs FMD Working Group
10th West Eurasia FMD Roadmap Meeting Recommendations (Dushanbe – Tajikistan): Review and discussion on implementation mechanism,
Dr Galib Abdulaliyev, Chairperson of the FMD RAG for West Eurasia, CVO/Delegate of Azerbaijan
PPR RAG Governance, Drs. Viola Chemis, Duriya Charypkhan, Joint FAO-WOAH PPR Secretariat
Review of PPR Recommendations (2024 & 2025), Drs. Viola Chemis, Duriya Charypkhan, Joint FAO-WOAH PPR Secretariat
Reflection on PMAT – ECO 2025, Drs. Viola Chemis, Duriya Charypkhan, Joint FAO-WOAH PPR Secretariat
Overview of the FMD epidemiological situation in the world, including emerging risks (e.g. SAT1/SAT2), Dr David Paton, WRL Pirbright
Overview of the FMD epidemiological situation in the region, including emerging risks (e.g. SAT1/SAT2),
Dr Viktor Nikiforov, ARRIAH (in Russian)
Country experiences and FMD control strategies in Azerbaijan: Experience from the SAT1 Outbreak and National Response,
Dr Galib Abdulaliyev, CVO/Delegate of Azerbaijan
FAO activities on PPR in the region, Dr Mak Hovari, FAO REU
Economic Assessment of Achieving and Maintaining Official PPR Disease-Free Status (ECAM-PPR), Dr Andrea Carvelli, IZSLT
WOAH overarching framework for animal movement control system, Dr Alexandre Fediaevsky, WOAH
EuFMD activities under the Statement of Intentions Agreement, including the simulation exercise in Armenia and Georgia,
Dr Carsten Pötzsch, EuFMD
Simulation Exercise on FMD and similar Transboundary Animal Disease, Dr Natig Javadov, Azerbaijan
