UN System Coordinator for Influenza Dr. David Nabarro visited
Beijing to discuss China’s role in the international control of
avian influenza and preparation for dealing with any possible
influenza pandemic. Dr. David Nabarro commends the Chinese
Government for what it has done domestically to contain the highly
pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and also China’s significant
contribution to the world campaign against HPAI.
During his two days visit, Dr. Nabarro, Dr. Khalid Malik, UN
Resident Coordinator in China and representatives from the Food and
Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) and
UNICEF, met with the Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who leads China’s
Avian Influenza Command Center.
The meeting with the Vice Premier focused on the important role
that China is playing in the global battle against avian influenza
and on ways to strengthen further China’s participation in regional
and international technical and political partnerships.
Dr. Nabarro also met with senior leaders in the Ministry of
Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of
Agriculture to discuss China’s involvement in the International
Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) and the
upcoming meeting of IPAPI to be held in Vienna in June 2006.
China’s willingness to assist other affected countries in the fight
against avian influenza and preparedness for possible human
pandemic were also discussed.
Dr. David Nabarro recognized that the Chinese Government
attaches great importance to the prevention and control of HPAI.
China has adopted national strategies and taken a series of
measures. Great progress was achieved in preventing and containing
HPAI. In this way, China has contributed to the international
effort against HPAI as well.
The UN in China has been actively engaged in assisting China
since the country first officially reported influenza A H5N1 in
2004. Coordination between UN agencies has recently been
strengthened under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinator
through the appointment of a UN Avian and Pandemic Influenza
Coordinator and the development of a number of joint working
groups. A joint UN/Government of PR China Avian and Pandemic
Influenza Program is currently being discussed with the government.
Such a program is likely to involve a large number of UN agencies
as well as a range of government ministries and agencies.
Since early 2004, the Food and Agriculture Organization and
World Health Organization have provided technical assistance in the
prevention, detection and control of avian and human influenza A
(H5N1) and are working closely with Ministries of Agriculture and
Health in China.?UNICEF is leading a cross UN team effort to
develop public education materials to raise awareness about avian
influenza and reduce risks of animal to human transmission of the
virus.?A number of different agencies, including WHO and UNDP,
are providing support to the government to strengthen pandemic
preparedness as well as to develop long term strategies to reduce
the risk of animal related diseases such of avian influenza in the
future.
Many challenges remain particularly at grassroots level, at the
same time, much have been achieved in responding to the influenza
threat. The government expressed appreciation to the UN for its
assistance and collaboration in the prevention and control of avian
and human influenza (H5N1) and preparation for any possible
influenza pandemic. The Government of China and the UN look forward
to continued collaboration and cooperation in the future -- in
China and in the international arena.
(China.org.cn April 5, 2006)