Staff reporter
ISLAMABAD:BRI Veterinary Drug and Vaccine Symposium 2024 kicked off in Beijing under the Advanced Workshop on Veterinary Drug and Vaccine Technology in BRI Countries, bringing together experts and policymakers from Pakistan, China, Bangladesh, Iran, and other regional countries.Hosted by China Agricultural University, Chinese Veterinary Medical Association, and supported by the Ministry of Science and Technology of the People’s Republic of China, the event drew participants from other regional nations, creating a robust platform for collaborative innovation in veterinary science.The inaugural session, presided over by Prof. Cheng He, set the tone for a week of knowledge-sharing and strategic discussions.Opening addresses were delivered by distinguished representatives, including Liu Xiuli, Deputy Secretary General of the China Veterinary Medicine Association, Afifa Shajia, Education Attaché at the Embassy of Pakistan in Beijing, Zhang Bing, Chairman of the Shandong Binzhou Animal Science and Veterinary Medicine Academy, and Esmaeil Mehryar, Science and Technology Counselor at the Embassy of the Islamic Republic of Iran. The speakers highlighted the significance of fostering cross-border collaboration to advance veterinary drug and vaccine technology under the BRI framework.In her keynote address, Liu Xiuli emphasized China’s strides in veterinary medicine and vaccine innovation, underscoring the importance of technology transfer and regional cooperation to combat zoonotic diseases and strengthen animal health systems.The inaugural session concluded with an insightful presentation by Ms. Liu on the development of the Chinese veterinary drug and vaccine industry, detailing the nation’s advancements and its vision for global partnerships.Participants of the symposium are set to engage in a diverse program over the coming days, featuring technical training, interactive workshops, and site visits to state-of-the-art research facilities.Sessions will explore critical topics such as animal disease control, vaccine development, market strategies, and investment opportunities in livestock under the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC). Highlights include presentations by renowned experts like Dr. Muhammad Mohsin Kiani, Sector Specialist of Livestock and Food Security from Pakistan, who will discuss investment prospects in the animal industry under CPEC, and Dr. Li Huachun, former Director of FAO-ASEAN Office, who will provide insights into disease prevalence and veterinary markets in the Mekong region.
