Virtual regional launch of the Middle East foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) prevention and control strategy 2026 – 2030

Foot-and-Mouth Diseas (FMD) remains one of the most important transboundary animal diseases (TADs) affecting livestock production, food security, livelihoods and trade across the Middle East. The movement of animals and animal products across national borders, together with differences in national capacities for surveillance, vaccination, outbreak preparedness and response, creates a continued risk of cross-border spread and recurrent outbreaks. Addressing FMD therefore requires sustained national efforts complemented by effective regional coordination, information sharing and collaboration.

Recognizing the need for a coordinated regional approach, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with Member Countries and regional and international partners, developed the Middle East FMD Prevention and Control Strategy 2026 - 2030. The Strategy provides a common regional framework to support countries in strengthening FMD prevention, preparedness, surveillance and control, while promoting greater coordination and harmonization of efforts across the region. It identifies priority areas for action, including strengthening national capacities, improving risk- based surveillance and information sharing, enhancing preparedness and response mechanisms, and promoting coordinated approaches to vaccination and disease control.

The initial draft of the Strategy was circulated in early April 2025 to participants of the Middle East Regional Roadmap Meeting (April 2025, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia), including Chief Veterinary Officers and technical experts from the participating Middle Eastern countries, as well as regional and international partners. The consultation involved representatives and technical organizations including AOAD, EuFMD, World Reference Laboratory for foot-and-mouth disease (WRLFMD), Abu Dhabi Agriculture and Food Safety Authority (ADAFSA), the WOAH FMD Working Group and the WOAH Sub-Regional Representation for the Middle East (WOAH SRR-ME).

The Strategy covers 14 countries in the Middle East: Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Libya, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates and Yemen. It was presented and discussed in detail during the Middle East Regional Roadmap Meeting held in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, from 27 - 30 April 2025. The Strategy was subsequently revised to reflect the recommendations and priorities identified by Member Countries and partners during the meeting. The revised version was circulated to all participants in May 2025, and further feedback received from the Member countries and partners was incorporated in the final draft.

The final draft of the Strategy was reviewed and validated by the TF and was agreed for its official regional launch. The launch, planned for September 2026, will mark an important

step towards translating the Strategy into coordinated regional action and strengthening collective efforts to reduce the impact and risk of FMD in the Middle East.

The virtual regional launch will provide an opportunity to formally present the Strategy to Member Countries, regional and international organizations, development partners and other stakeholders; highlight its strategic priorities and proposed areas of collaboration; and promote ownership and commitment to its implementation. It will also provide a platform to reinforce regional partnerships and encourage countries and partners to align their respective FMD prevention and control activities with the Strategy's overall objectives for 2026 - 2030.

Purpose

The virtual event will serve as the official regional launch of the Middle East FMD Prevention and

Control Strategy 2026 - 2030 and provide an opportunity to present the Strategy to Member Countries, regional organizations, and development partners.

Organizer: FAO Regional Office for the Near East and North Africa (FAO RNE), in collaboration with FAO Headquarters (NSAH)

Virtual Regional Launch of the Middle East Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD) Prevention and Control Strategy 2026–2030, which will take place tomorrow, Tuesday, 29 September 2026, from 13:00 to 14:15 (Cairo time).

Webcast