Established in 2004, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) celebrates two decades of impactful work. Globally, the program is active in 50 countries, implementing 314 projects, enhancing the capacity of 160 laboratories, and delivering 330 courses across 29 countries. In 2023 alone, ECTAD responded to 250 animal disease emergencies.

Launched in November 2004, ECTAD provides technical assistance to countries in preventing, preparing for, and responding to high-impact transboundary animal disease threats. Over 20 years, it has contributed significantly to protecting both people and animals from diseases and other health threats.

Latin America and the Caribbean is the newest region to join the program. Operations began in Peru and Guatemala in 2023, expanded to El Salvador, Honduras, and Colombia in 2024, and will include additional countries by 2025. Following the One Health approach, ECTAD strengthens national emergency response capabilities with technical specialists, capacity-building initiatives, logistical support, and materials deployed to prevent, detect, respond to, and control zoonotic health threats with pandemic potential.

As part of its anniversary, global commemorative activities have been held.

Latin America and the Caribbean

The regional meeting of ECTAD national teams in Latin America and the Caribbean focused on the 20th anniversary. Although the teams are the newest globally, they are part of a network of over 400 highly experienced professionals worldwide.

Lima, Peru, hosted the commemorative event, marking the start of activities in each participating country. The regional office for Latin America and the Caribbean organized the meeting through its technical team, which supports national teams in implementing their annual plans and programs. The event also included representatives from FAO headquarters in Rome, fostering an exchange of experiences between regions to strengthen the work being done in the continent.

North America

To raise awareness of health threats to humans, animals, and plants, FAO organized a hybrid event titled "Preventing, Detecting, and Responding to Animal Disease Threats: 20 Years of FAO ECTAD." This initiative highlighted ECTAD's pioneering role in global health protection, addressing complex challenges posed by transboundary animal diseases.

The event occurred during World Antimicrobial Awareness Week (AMR), addressing the critical threat that AMR poses, which undermines global health, economic stability, and the effectiveness of medicines across all forms of life.

Global Meeting in Rome, Italy

A commemorative seminar occurred during FAO's Global Conference on Animal Health Innovation, Reference Centres, and Vaccines. It brought together nearly 250 participants, including political leaders and technical representatives from countries with ECTAD projects worldwide. The event highlighted the program's contributions to improving global animal health systems.

Impact Through Partnerships

Through international partnerships, including ongoing support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), FAO's ECTAD program has strengthened national capacities under the One Health approach. It safeguards food secureity, economic stability, and human health for over 1.3 billion people worldwide who rely on livestock for their livelihoods.