ASEACA: Bridging research and policy to prevent zoonotic diseases

Connecting research to policy to early prevent zoonosis

The Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, in collaboration with the French Agricultural Research Centre for International Development (CIRAD), the French Embassy in Viet Nam, and partners, on Tuesday held the kick-off meeting of the ASEACA project - Preventing the Emergence of Zoonotic Diseases in Africa, Southeast Asia and the Caribbean.

The project is part of the PREZODE initiative launched by the French Government and funded by the French Development Agency (AFD), with the goal of enhancing research capacity and international cooperation in preventing zoonotic diseases through a One Health approach.

The meeting brought together representatives from ministries, research institutes, universities, local authorities, UN agencies, international organizations, NGOs, diplomatic missions, and development partners working in Viet Nam's One Health sector.

Speaking at the event, Pham Ngoc Mau, Deputy Director General of the International Cooperation Department, said ASEACA adopts a participatory approach, with close coordination among ministries, research institutions and localities to define research priorities tailored to Viet Nam’s context.

The project focuses on implementing an integrated One Health approach to assess, manage and mitigate risks associated with zoonotic diseases, antimicrobial resistance and environmental health threats in agriculture.

Key activities include studying ecological, epidemiological and socio-economic drivers of disease risks; strengthening early warning systems; promoting community-based interventions; and enhancing cross-sectoral coordination among policymakers, researchers and local authorities.

A central component of the project is the “Research to Policy” (R2P) approach. Under the One Health Partnership framework, the R2P working group will serve as a bridge between scientists, policymakers and stakeholders, translating research findings into policy recommendations and practical solutions for disease prevention.

ASEACA involves a wide range of domestic and international partners, including the National Institute of Veterinary Research, the National Institute of Hygiene and Epidemiology, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), the Institute for Environmental Health and Sustainable Development, and the Center for Supporting Community Development Initiatives (SCDI), along with local agencies.

Field research activities are expected to be conducted in Thai Nguyen and Dong Thap provinces, representing different ecological zones and agricultural production systems.

At the meeting, representatives from both provinces outlined livestock production contexts, zoonotic disease risks, antimicrobial use and challenges in disease surveillance. They also proposed research priorities such as antibiotic use in farming, community-based surveillance, and One Health prevention models. These inputs will help shape field research plans and coordination mechanisms in the coming phase.

Viet Nam’s central role in the One Health network

French Ambassador to Viet Nam Olivier Brochet said the country is among the leading countries in Southeast Asia in implementing the One Health approach.

He noted that the One Health Partnership Framework in Viet Nam stands out as a well-structured coordination mechanism, linking research, surveillance and public policy. Through this platform, national agencies and international partners have jointly addressed emerging health threats in an integrated manner.

Regarding ASEACA, the ambassador said the project contributes to global efforts to strengthen research and scientific collaboration on zoonotic diseases and antimicrobial resistance. It is expected to clarify the links between agricultural systems, biodiversity and health risks, while enhancing research capacity and partnerships in Southeast Asia.

He emphasized that promoting dialogue among scientists, communities and policymakers is a key highlight of the project, helping improve the effectiveness of disease prevention and risk management.

From a scientific perspective, François Roger of CIRAD said emerging infectious diseases are increasing, largely driven by profound changes in socio-ecological systems.

Factors such as agricultural intensification, land-use change, urbanization, biodiversity loss, wildlife trade and climate change are reshaping interactions between humans, animals and the environment, facilitating the emergence and spread of pathogens.

He stressed that understanding and managing these risks requires an integrated approach combining epidemiology, ecology, veterinary science, public health and social sciences. Southeast Asia is identified as a hotspot due to its rich biodiversity, rapidly evolving agricultural systems, and close human-animal interactions.

In this context, ASEACA is expected to shed light on the relationships between livestock systems, biodiversity, ecological dynamics and health risks, while examining drivers of antimicrobial use and resistance in agriculture. The project also aims to strengthen long-term scientific partnerships, develop human resources and enhance research-to-policy linkages.

Within Viet Nam’s One Health Partnership Framework, the OHP Secretariat under the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment will continue to play a coordinating role, facilitating connections among domestic and international partners, mobilizing resources and supporting project implementation.

Participating partners agreed to enhance collaboration in research, data sharing and field activities, while promoting the translation of research outcomes into practice through the R2P mechanism. Findings and lessons learned from ASEACA will be widely shared, contributing to policymaking processes and strengthening Viet Nam’s capacity to prevent emerging diseases.