Erbil: The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Agriculture of the Iraqi Federal Government and the Ministry of Agriculture and Water Resources of the Kurdistan Region, is making strides in a regional project under the Cooperation Programme. The initiative, titled “Emergency Control of Foot-and-Mouth Disease Outbreak in Iraq and Syria, and Prevention of its Transmission to Lebanon and Jordan,” was launched in January 2026 and is progressing significantly.

According to National Iraqi News Agency, the FAO recently organized a five-day integrated training workshop in Erbil. The workshop, named ‘Integrated Training for Foot-and-Mouth Disease Surveillance, Electronic Disease Reporting, Risk Analysis, and Emergency Preparedness in Iraq,’ aimed to bolster the country’s preparedness and response to foot-and-mouth disease. This disease is highly contagious and presents a threat to food security, rural livelihoods, and the agricultural economy.

The training addresses concerns over new viral strains and the risks of outbreaks and cross-border disease transmission. It gathered senior veterinary specialists from across Iraq to enhance their skills in early disease detection, epidemiological surveillance, risk assessment, and emergency response planning. Participants were trained in using electronic disease reporting tools to facilitate faster information exchange and support decision-making during animal health emergencies.

The workshop is based on the One Health approach, which links animal health, human health, and the environment. The FAO provided technical materials and practical tools to support national veterinary services in improving disease outbreak preparedness and response. This effort aims to protect livestock production, support farmers’ livelihoods, and enhance food security in Iraq.

Salah El Hajj Hassan, FAO Representative in Iraq, highlighted the importance of integrated preparedness and leadership during the workshop’s opening session. He stated, “Building a modern and responsive veterinary health system is not just about providing tools; it requires strong leadership, effective coordination, and the ability to utilize information in a timely manner. This training helps Iraq integrate surveillance, electronic reporting, risk analysis, and emergency preparedness into a unified national approach that enhances early warning, rapid response, and long-term resilience in the livestock sector.”

By enhancing animal health systems, institutional leadership, and regional coordination, this initiative supports the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals, including Zero Hunger, Good Health and Well-being, and Life on Land. It aims to build more resilient and sustainable agricultural and food systems in Iraq and the surrounding regions.