Training on Brucellosis Held in Turkmenistan under FAO’s Regional “One Health” Project

 

From 20 to 24 October 2025, a training workshop focusing on the prevention, diagnosis and control of brucellosis is being held in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan. The event is organized by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) under the regional project GCP/SEC/027/PAF — “Pandemic Preparedness and Response through a One Health Approach in Central Asia.”

 

Representatives from various ministries and agencies of Turkmenistan, as well as veterinary and medical experts, are participating in the training. Their presence highlights Turkmenistan’s commitment to a holistic approach to both animal and human health, in line with the “One Health” concept.

 

International FAO experts in brucellosis — Svetlana Bardenstein and Nadav Galon — lead the workshop. They bring extensive experience in epidemiological surveillance, diagnostics, and infectious disease control across different regions of the world.

 

From the Turkmen side, national expert Arslan Soltanmyradov, Head of the Department of International and Scientific Relations of the State Veterinary Service at the Ministry of Agriculture of Turkmenistan, delivered a presentation. He elaborated on the country’s state policy in protecting animal health, preventive measures, monitoring, and control of brucellosis, as well as the planned initiatives undertaken by the State Veterinary Service with strong government support.

 

In his address, Arslan Soltanmyradov placed special emphasis on strengthening laboratory capacity, systematic epizootic monitoring, and continuous professional development of veterinary specialists. He underscored the importance of integrating modern tools and approaches into the disease surveillance and rapid response system.

 

The FAO experts, Svetlana Bardenstein and Nadav Galon, presented the participants with up-to-date insights on the global and regional situation of brucellosis, advanced approaches to diagnostics, control and animal vaccination strategies, as well as mechanisms for early detection and response to disease outbreaks among animals and humans.

 

The conduct of this training marks a significant step in deepening cooperation between Turkmenistan and FAO in the field of veterinary health. It contributes to further enhancement of the epizootic surveillance and zoonotic disease prevention systems, and aligns with the strategic tasks set by President Serdar Gurbangulyyevich Berdimuhamedow to ensure national food security and protect public health.