FAO releases first-ever Asia-Pacific Information Brief on wildlife, well being, and livelihoods nexus

04/03/2024 Bangkok

The interaction between the wildlife–well being and livelihoods nexus within the Asia-Pacific area is at present at a essential juncture, requiring speedy consideration and motion, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) introduced at the moment in recognition of World Wildlife Day (3 March).

The urgency of the decision is underscored by the numerous impacts of current zoonotic illness outbreaks, together with extreme acute respiratory syndrome (SARS), avian influenza, Nipah virus, and the COVID-19 pandemic and the ensuing devastation on well being and economies within the Asia and Pacific area.

Factors equivalent to inhabitants development, urbanization, and mounting strain on pure assets within the Asia-Pacific area add to the complexities of this nexus. Failure to deal with these challenges might end in damaging penalties for each human and wildlife populations, together with elevated dangers of illness transmission, biodiversity loss, and threats to livelihoods.

However, regardless of its essential position in mitigating future calamities and sustainable coexistence between people and wildlife, analyzing this nexus, holistically, has obtained minimal consideration at each analysis and coverage ranges.

Towards sustainable options

For the primary time, FAO has printed proposed actions that ought to be taken, outlined in an Information Brief. These embrace a variety of methods, equivalent to enhancing information assortment, monitoring, and statistical evaluation concerning wildlife’s affect on rural economies, meals safety, diet, and well being. Coordinated efforts are really helpful to facilitate the event and dissemination of data and options to deal with this complicated nexus at each nationwide and regional ranges. Scott Newman, FAO’s One Health Programme Priority Lead in Asia and the Pacific, emphasizes “the relevance of these strategies for the region, particularly given its status as a hotspot for emerging infectious diseases.”

The Information Brief, drafted with inputs from greater than 120 specialists, emphasizes balancing wildlife use for rural communities and Indigenous Peoples whereas decreasing zoonotic illness dangers.

“These initiatives aim to deepen understanding, foster collaboration, and shape policy frameworks to effectively tackle the intricate interactions, consequently promoting resilience and sustainability across the region,” mentioned Illias Animon, FAO Forestry Officer.

FAO’s work of relevance

FAO’s Strategic Framework for 2022–2031 aligns with the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, specializing in remodeling agrifood methods for higher manufacturing, higher diet, higher setting, and a greater life for all, leaving nobody behind. FAO gives technical recommendation and helps worldwide processes and frameworks associated to this nexus, together with the UN Forum on Forests, the UN Convention on Biological Diversity, and the UN Food System Summit outputs.

FAO works with companions to deal with rising infectious ailments by way of initiatives just like the One Health Quadripartite and the Zoonotic Disease Integrated Action Programme. These efforts purpose to scale back the dangers of zoonotic epidemics and promote world well being, environmental conservation, and sustainable growth.

The suggestions within the Information Brief will additional contribute to shaping future FAO interventions within the area, together with the introduction of latest actions underneath the Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Programme scheduled for launch in 2024.

Contact

• Mahira Afzal, Communications Specialist, FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific