Sustainable Wildlife Management Programme expands in Asia-Pacific

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) has launched a new project in Lao PDR aimed at preventing and detecting zoonotic diseases. The two-year, €2 million initiative, funded by the European Union, is part of the global Sustainable Wildlife Management (SWM) Program.

The project will focus on reducing the risk of zoonotic diseases through community-driven sustainable wildlife management and the application of the One Health approach. This integrated approach recognizes the interconnectedness of human, animal, and environmental health.

In Lao PDR, wild meat harvesting is a common practice, often driven by food security and livelihood needs. However, unsustainable hunting practices can contribute to biodiversity loss and increase the risk of zoonotic disease transmission.

FAO, in collaboration with the Lao PDR’s Ministry of Agriculture and Forestry, CIRAD, and WCS, will work to assess the role of wild meat in rural livelihoods and identify potential zoonotic disease risks. The project will also establish community-based surveillance networks to detect and respond to potential disease outbreaks.

By strengthening legal and institutional frameworks, the project aims to promote sustainable wildlife management and the One Health approach in Lao PDR. This initiative is part of the broader SWM Program, which is being implemented in 15 countries across Africa, the Caribbean, and the Asia-Pacific region.