News

From 21 to 23 September 2026, Alexey Igolkin, Deputy Director of the Vladimir branch of the FGBI “ARRIAH”, took part in the FAO Global Conference for Actions on One Health in Agrifood Systems. The event was held at FAO headquarters in Rome.

The conference brought together government officials, researchers, international organizations, and other partners to discuss how One Health can be put into practice.

Discussions focused on the links between human, animal, plant, and ecosystem health; disease prevention; antimicrobial resistance; food safety; and making agrifood systems more resilient.

Animal health and the control of transboundary infections featured prominently. In expert discussions involving Alexey Igolkin, participants reviewed the animal health situation, the role of vaccination and laboratory monitoring, measures to prevent the spread of animal diseases, and international efforts to eradicate peste des petits ruminants and supply countries with effective vaccines.

On the margins of the conference, Alexey Igolkin held working meetings with FAO representatives and international colleagues. They discussed strengthening partnerships, scientific and technical cooperation on transboundary animal disease control and antimicrobial resistance, and joint information and scientific events.

ARRIAH’s contribution was also highlighted during the session “Agrifood Systems Transformation Through One Health for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants and Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease.” Dr. Amadou Dicko, a representative of Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Agriculture, Water, Animal, and Fisheries Resources, commended the FGBI “ARRIAH” for its assistance this year in poultry disease prevention, including vaccine supplies.

The conference also gave special attention to advancing One Health in Central Asia. Representatives from Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, and Turkmenistan set out investment priorities, including stronger epidemiological and veterinary surveillance, better laboratory and workforce infrastructure, digital monitoring, and improved joint response mechanisms for transboundary infections.

During the event, the FGBI “ARRIAH” received official confirmation of its status as an FAO Reference Centre for Zoonotic Coronaviruses. The designation reflects the high level of expertise among ARRIAH specialists and the significance of their research to the international community.