Dhaka: The Sixth Meeting of the SAARC Laboratory Directors' Forum (SLDF) convened in Kandy, Sri Lanka, with the aim of bolstering regional cooperation in animal disease surveillance, diagnosis, and laboratory capacity development among SAARC member states.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, the meeting was organized by the SAARC Secretariat in collaboration with the Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka. This marks the first SLDF meeting since the previous one held in Bangkok in 2018. During the event, Dr. B.S.S. Perera, Director General of the Department of Animal Production and Health, Sri Lanka, delivered a welcome address emphasizing the crucial role of robust veterinary laboratory systems in safeguarding animal health, public health, and regional food security. He also stressed the need for enhanced collaboration among South Asian countries to tackle emerging and transboundary animal diseases.
Dr. Md. Younus Ali, Senior Programme Specialist (Livestock) at the SAARC Agriculture Centre, noted that the forum serves as a vital platform for laboratory directors to exchange knowledge, share experiences, and identify regional priorities. Supporting this sentiment, Tanvir Ahmad Torophder, Director (Agriculture, Rural Development and SAARC Development Fund) at the SAARC Secretariat, underscored the importance of regional cooperation in addressing common livestock health challenges. He highlighted the need for stronger laboratory networks and information-sharing mechanisms to improve disease preparedness and response within SAARC member states.
The forum was formally opened by Dr. Barun Sharma of Nepal, Chairman of the SAARC Laboratory Directors' Forum, who called for increased collaboration among national laboratories. Discussions during the meeting included the review of key recommendations from previous SLDF and SAARC Chief Veterinary Officers' Forum meetings, as well as the assessment of progress made under the implementation matrix adopted at the Fifth SLDF meeting.
Participants also deliberated on a draft framework for laboratory directors' capacity development and networking, proposed terms of reference for a regional laboratory technical advisory group, and provided country updates on laboratory capacity, diagnosis, quality assurance, and bio-risk management. The forum further explored regional priorities, emerging challenges, laboratory networking, harmonization of diagnostic standards, capacity-building requirements, and opportunities for collaboration with international partners, such as WOAH and FAO.
The meeting concluded with a set of recommendations and a roadmap aimed at strengthening regional veterinary laboratory collaboration and enhancing preparedness against animal diseases across South Asia.