On July 31, the 2nd International Symposium on Animal Disease Control & Joint Prevention of Key Cross-border Zoonoses, hosted by the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute of the Chinese Academy of Agricultural Sciences, was held in Lanzhou. The symposium was themed “Coordinated Prevention and Control, Cross-border Collaboration, and Safeguarding Public Health Security.” Approximately 80 participants attended the event, including experts, scholars, and graduate students from China, South Africa, the United Kingdom, Thailand, Kazakhstan, and Kenya. They represented renowned institutions such as the Pirbright Institute (UK), the University of Cape Town (South Africa), Chiang Mai University (Thailand), the Research Institute for Biological Safety Problems (Kazakhstan), the Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization, China Agricultural University, and Shihezi University (Xinjiang). Distinguished guests included Ms. Ma Kun, Vice Chairperson of the Gansu Provincial Association for Science and Technology; Professor Anna-Lise Williamson and Professor Edward P. Rybicki, Fellows of the Academy of Science of South Africa; and Professor Munir Iqbal from the Pirbright Institute, UK. The opening ceremony was chaired and addressed by Professor Zhu Qiyun, Deputy Director of the Lanzhou Veterinary Research Institute. During the symposium, 11 experts from China and abroad delivered academic presentations on cutting-edge topics, including novel vaccine platforms, cross-border epidemiological surveillance, pathogenic mechanisms, and integrated prevention and control strategies. Participants actively engaged in discussions and shared insights throughout the sessions. A visit was also organized to the National Key Laboratory of Animal Disease Prevention and Control. International guests spoke highly of the institute’s capabilities in platform development, scientific innovation, and technology translation.
The successful convening of this international symposium has further deepened scientific and technological cooperation between China and Belt and Road partner countries in the prevention and control of zoonotic diseases, strengthened international research partnerships, and laid a solid foundation for the establishment of a regular cross-border joint prevention and control mechanism. The symposium was supported by the “Haizhi Plan” Workstation of the Gansu Provincial Association for Science and Technology and the China-UK International Cooperation Project of the Gansu Provincial Department of Science and Technology.
