Governor Attends the 21st Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) Congress

　For three days from November 11th to 13th, the 21st Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) Congress was held in Fukuoka City under the theme of "One Health Approach from Asia."

　The governor, who attended the opening ceremony on the 11th, thanked all those involved in the FAVA Congress and said, "Fukuoka Prefecture is the only prefecture in Japan that has enacted an ordinance to promote One Health. Based on this ordinance, we are working on the development of the One Health Center, which is responsible for human health, animal sanitation, and environmental conservation. We are also requesting the national government to open an Asia Emerging and Zoonotic Disease Center in Fukuoka in Kyushu as a satellite office of the National Institute of Infectious Diseases. In addition, we would like to cooperate with the FAVA One Health Fukuoka Office, which was decided on November 9 to be opened in ACROS Fukuoka, to further promote One Health initiatives."

　In addition, at the signing ceremony of the "Asia One Health Fukuoka Declaration 2022" held on the 13th, he said to the participants, "I am very honored that the declaration, which includes the name of Fukuoka, has been disseminated to the world. In order to protect all lives on earth, let us work together to advance One Health vigorously."

*About FAVA
・The Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) is a federation of veterinary associations in 23 countries and regions in Asia and Oceania, established in 1978.
・Congresses are held every two years to promote veterinary science exchanges in the region and promote collaboration among veterinarians.
・This is the third time in 27 years that the FAVA congress has been held in Japan since the first congress held in Yokohama in 1995.
(Reference) The 21st Federation of Asian Veterinary Associations (FAVA) Congress website (A new window will be opened.)

*About "Asia One Health Fukuoka Declaration 2022"
　This is the declaration of a policy of the practical activities of One Health by FAVA member veterinary associations and affiliated veterinarians to be disseminated from the Asia/Oceania region to the world.

[Declaration content]

1. We will work to prevent and control emerging and re-emerging zoonotic diseases by establishing a surveillance and research system for controlling the source of infection, transmission route and host, and share the information with others.
2. We will ensure the prudent and appropriate use of antimicrobial agents to tackle antimicrobial resistance (AMR), as antimicrobial-resistant bacteria have posed severe threats to medical and veterinary care.
3. We will actively promote the maintenance of biodiversity and the conservation of the global environment to create a society where animals and people can coexist in harmony.
4. We will foster new veterinary graduates with WOAH (OIE) Day One Competencies (knowledge, skills, and attitudes that veterinarians should possess) through further development of veterinary education and international collaboration in a One Health approach.
5. We will promote multisectoral collaboration with medical/governmental/civil organizations, universities, and international organizations such as WVA, WOAH (OIE), WHO, FAO, UNEP, etc., to solve issues related to One Health and to accelerate the One Health approach.
6. We will develop and strengthen the FAVA activities hub to conduct research on One Health issues and to promote One Health education for children, students, and citizens in Asia.

(Photo) Governor Hattori greeting the attendees

(Photo) President of FAVA, Isao Kurauchi, greeting the attendees

(Photo) President of the World Veterinary Association, Rafael Laguens, greeting the attendees

(Photo) Vice President of FAVA, Quaza Nizamuddin Hasan Nizam, greeting the attendees

(Photo) Mayor of Fukuoka City, Soichiro Takashima, greeting the attendees

(Photo) [Signing Ceremony] President of FAVA, Isao Kurauchi (5th from right), Chairman of the Fukuoka Prefectural Assembly, Kazuhisa Kiriake (3rd from left), and those involved in FAVA
*Masks were removed for photo taking purposes only.