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Conference of Ministers of
Health and Agriculture/Livestock on Avian Influenza Control and Pandemic
Preparedness in Asia, New Delhi, India, 28 July 2006
The outbreaks
of avian influenza reported in Asia, Europe and Africa in recent years have
been unprecedented in terms of their geographical scope, spread and
consequences. They have resulted in the deaths and culling of more than
200 million poultry with substantial economic loss to the sector. Never
before have countries been so widely affected by this disease, with an impact
on farmers, households, the poultry industry, tourism and trade.
Many countries
in the South-East Asia Region are on the flight paths of migrating birds,
some of which may be carrying Avian Influenza virus. In view of the
epidemiological situation, all countries in the Region are vulnerable to the
influenza pandemic.
To combat this
grave threat, it is essential for countries to be well prepared. To help
achieve this goal and to agree on an appropriate strategy to meet the
situation as well as to consolidate inter country collaboration, a Conference
of Ministers of Health and Agriculture/Livestock and their respective
advisers from all countries in the South-East Asia Region, including
Afghanistan and The People’s Republic of China was held on 28 July 2006 at
New Delhi. The Government of India and the World Health Organization, in
collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization hosted the Conference.
The objectives
of the Conference were:
 to review the situation on Avian Influenza and
the risk of a pandemic;
to share mechanisms for integrated
and multi-sectoral response at the national level; and
to strengthen
inter-country collaboration for effective action against the pandemic threat.
The conference
consisted of two parts. A pre-conference meeting was held on 27 July 2006 in
which Health and Agriculture Secretaries/ Delegates from 10 countries
participated. This was followed by the main conference on 28 July 2006 which
was attended by Health and Agriculture Ministers from 11 countries. One of
the outcomes of the conference was a joint ministerial statement in the form
of “Delhi Declaration” that will serve as a framework for future action.
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