Chennai Hosts National One Health Mission Conference On Biosecurity

A two-day conference and table-top simulation exercise on "One Health: Integrating Health Security and Biosecurity" commenced in Chennai on Thursday. The event was designed to establish a vital platform for multi-stakeholder dialogue to address critical health and security challenges.

The collaborative event was organised by the Deccan Centre for International Relations (DCIR), the M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation (MSSRF), and LEAD at IFMR/KREA University. It brought together a diverse group of participants, including policymakers, scientists, public health experts, biosecurity specialists, veterinarians, and academics.

The primary objective of the conference was to strengthen India’s National One Health Mission. Discussions and exercises focused on promoting integrated approaches to zoonotic disease control, combating antimicrobial resistance, enhancing environmental surveillance, and addressing biosecurity as a non-traditional security threat.

Ajay Kumar Sood, the Principal Scientific Adviser to the Government of India, participated in the event as the Chief Guest. His presence highlighted the national significance of integrating health security and biosecurity frameworks.

Several prominent figures spoke during the inaugural session of the conference. These speakers included T.S. Tirumurti, the former Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations and Chair of the Steering Committee at DCIR; Soumya Swaminathan, the Chairperson of MSSRF; and Sharon Buteau, the Executive Director of LEAD at IFMR/KREA.

The two-day event was structured around four distinct thematic sessions. The first session, "One Health: Biology, Technology and Future Innovations," explored technological advancements in the field. The second session, "Governance, Global Lessons and International Cooperation," examined international frameworks and collaborative strategies.

The third session was titled "One Health: Foundation of National Health and Biosecurity," which focused on national infrastructure. The final session, "Biosecurity, Dual-Use Research, and Laboratory Networks," addressed security protocols and research safety. Numerous notable speakers shared their insights across these sessions.

The conference concluded with a valedictory address delivered by Yvan J.-F. Hutin, the World Health Organization Representative to India.