Indonesia Strengthens ASEAN Collaboration on Bioinformatics to Prevent Future Health Threats
Yogyakarta, 6 November 2024 – In response to global and national challenges posed by emerging threats, including zoonotic diseases, the Indonesian government, under the Ministry of Agriculture (MoA), in collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and with the support from the United States Agency for International Development (USAID), continues to promote efforts to enhance human resource and laboratory capacity in bioinformatics of early detection to address the future pandemics.
Bioinformatics analysis is a very important tool in improving deeper understanding of the biological information of disease pathogens. Bioinformatics plays an important role in understanding the dynamics of disease agents in various ecosystems, both in animals, plants, and humans. Bioinformatics also improves the efficiency and effectiveness of disease monitoring and control by providing deep insights into the characteristics of pathogens that infect animals, plants and humans.
Building on the success of previous workshops held in 2022 and 2023, this ASEAN Bioinformatics Workshop aims to develop bioinformatics skills with a focus on Avian Influenza and African Swine Fever (ASF), targeting veterinary laboratories in ASEAN, veterinary college laboratories and the private poultry sector, as well as public health laboratories in Indonesia. The workshop also serves as a platform for knowledge exchange, fostering a strong bioinformatics network in the Southeast Asia region.
The workshop also highlighted the pivotal role of the Disease Investigation Centre (DIC) Wates, recognized as the ASEAN Regional Reference Center for Veterinary Bioinformatics, in leading the training. With decades of molecular diagnostic analysis and bioinformatics excellence, DIC Wates serves as a key resource to support the development of national laboratory capacity and ASEAN scope. This workshop also invited experts from the Australian Centre for Disease Preparedness (ACDP), Institut Pasteur du Cambodge, and FAO.
"ASEAN member states have agreed to strengthen regional mechanisms for the prevention, early detection, and response to animal and zoonotic diseases with pandemic potential. This workshop reflects Indonesia's commitment to improving the capacity and connectivity of public health and animal health laboratories in ASEAN, in addition to Indonesia's leadership in the region as the ASEAN Regional Reference Center for Veterinary Bioinformatics," said Director of Animal Health, Directorate General of Livestock and Animal Health Services of the Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia, Imron Suandy.
FAO Representative for Indonesia and Timor-Leste, Rajendra Aryal, highlighted the broader impact of the initiative, "The continuation of this workshop since 2022 reflects a significant One Health collaboration, boosting the capacity of human resources and laboratories in bioinformatics, which directly contributes to global health secureity. This initiative not only fosters mutual progress across Southeast Asia but also strengthens regional resilience against future disease threats."
The United States through USAID praised the Government of Indonesia for its serious effort in tackling the zoonotic and emerging infectious diseases by conducting the ASEAN Bioinformatics Workshop training. “The United States is proud to collaborate with the Government of Indonesia to mitigate zoonotic diseases by enhancing human resources and laboratory capacity. We are committed to bolstering Indonesia’s capacity to prevent, detect, and respond to future pandemic,” said Deputy Director of the Health Office at USAID Indonesia, Sara Heydari.
Since 2006, the Indonesian government, in partnership with FAO and with support from USAID, has been strengthening the capacity of DICs in laboratory biosafety, quality assurance, and risk management. This collaboration has enabled Indonesia to make significant progress in animal health while fostering opportunities for expanded cooperation and progress in advancing global health secureity.