Conference Overview
The Honourable Mr. Muhammad Fakhre Alam, Secretary for Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperative Department, Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, inaugurated the Conference as Chief Guest, alongside Prof. Dr. Zahir Shah, Vice Chancellor of AWKUM, and Prof. Dr. Sher Bahadar Khan, Principal of the College of Animal Husbandry and Veterinary Sciences (CAHVS). Mr. Khan commended the efforts of the organizers, sharing recent legislative developments, including the “Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Animal Welfare Act, 2024” in addition to three Acts on Livestock Breeding Services, Animal Feed Stuff and Zoonotic Disease Control. He affirmed the provincial government’s commitment to support AWKUM in advancing food security, safety, and eco-security in the region. The conference was co-organized by Prof. M. Subhan Qureshi, President National Eco-Security System Pakistan (NESS-Pak)/Dairy Science Park (DSP); Dr. Saeed Khan, President Poultry Doctors Forum (PDF); and Dr. Muhammad Israr from Pakistan Scicence Foundation (PSF), with institutional support from Prof. Fatima Khanzadi Dean, Dr. Abid Ali Chairman Zoology Department, and Dr. Imad Khan CAHVS.
Prof Dr Jehan Bakht, Vice Chancellor University of Agriculture Peshawar shared his thoughts on Climate Change and the relevant local and international challenges. The Conference successfully gathered a diverse group of national and international experts from government, academia, and industry to explore this year’s theme: “Long-Term Survival of Humanity through Eco-Security Systems (NESS).” The event was supported by Higher Education Commission (HEC), Pakistan Science Foundation (PSF), Dairy Science Park (DSP), NESS Pakistan (NESS-Pak), and Poultry Doctors Forum (PDF), Inshal Pharma, Avicenna of Sarhad Traders, UM Enterprises, MB Marketing, and DMG Pharmaceuticals.
OHC2024 featured an Inaugural Session, Plenary Session, and specialized sessions on Health, Poultry, National Eco-Security System, Biosecurity, Agriculture, Industry, Academia-Industry Interaction, and an Industrial Exhibition. Abstracts were submitted online, evaluated by the technical committee, and selected for oral or poster presentations. Poster presentations were assessed for prizes and certificates. Mr Tian Dexin, Founder NESS-ISN and Dr Yan Xie, International Coordinator NESS-ISN presented salient findings of the NESS Global Report 2024. The Editorial Committee of NESS convened a hybrid meeting with in-person and remote participants. During the concluding session, chaired by the Vice Chancellor, the conference recommendations were presented by Prof. M. Subhan Qureshi presented as follows:
Conference Recommendations
- Global Ecological Crisis and NESS: The current ecological crisis poses significant threats to human survival, exacerbated by conflicts, social divisions, and a lack of unified action. The National Eco-Security System (NESS) was highlighted as a crucial international scientific initiative aimed at safeguarding future generations. Prof. M. Subhan Qureshi presented the NESS Global Report Pakistan Volume, prepared in collaboration with NESS-ISN Beijing, underscoring the 63 institutions that have committed to the NESS-Pak Initiative. A total of 250 individuals have also joined as supporters, signaling a growing commitment within Pakistan.
- Antimicrobial Resistance (AMR): AMR poses a serious threat to the livestock, poultry, and public health sectors in the province. Research and postgraduate programs must prioritize AMR prevention and address related health challenges through collaborative projects.
- Enhanced Collaboration with Private Farmers: Students and faculty should have access to private livestock and poultry farms to tackle real-world health, productivity, and profitability challenges. In turn, livestock and poultry farmers require technical, diagnostic, and advisory support to implement sustainable and safe farming practices. A collaborative framework could create mutually beneficial outcomes.
- Shift to Preventive Medicine at Provincial Farms: Provincial livestock and poultry farms should adopt preventive over curative medicine to mitigate AMR, reduce environmental contamination, and lower farming costs. Enhanced sanitation, vaccination, record-keeping, and other preventive practices are essential for healthier, more productive, and profitable farms.
- Research on Exotic Breeds: The introduction of exotic livestock and poultry breeds has led to challenges that must be addressed through research on genetics, stress physiology, and fertility.
- Implementation of the NESS Global Report Pakistan Volume: OHC2024 recommends that the NESS Global Report Pakistan Volume be presented to the Minister of Science and Technology, Government of Pakistan. Establishing a NESS-Pak Support Cell at the Ministry, backed by a donor consortium, could drive eco-security research and development across Pakistan. AWKUM, already home to the NESS-Pak Research Center, will lead efforts to integrate eco-security initiatives into academic and outreach programs, focusing on biodiversity, food security, public health, and livelihoods.
- Establishing a Triple Helix Committee on Food Security and Eco-Security at AWKUM: AWKUM will host a Triple Helix Committee, uniting academia, government, and private sector representatives to:
- Address current and emerging challenges in eco-security and food security.
- Register livestock and poultry farmers with CAHVS AWKUM for ongoing health, productivity, and profitability monitoring, supported by a revolving fund and ADP project.
- Demonstrate viable entrepreneurship models for farming, product processing, and marketing, providing opportunities for outgoing AWKUM graduates to establish registered startup companies under the AWKUM brand.
Prof M Subhan Qureshi
Chairman Recommendations Committee OHC2024
National Eco-Security System Pakistan co-organized the Second One Health Conference at Abdul Wali Khan Uniersity (AWKUM), Mardan Pakistan on 7-8 November, 2024. Theme: One Targe, Long Term Survival of Human Being through National Eco-Security System.
Venue: College of Veterinary Sciences and Animal Husbandry, Abdul Wali Khan University Mardan
Press Release AWKUM
Support materials
- OHC2024-Recommendations
- Proc OHC2024
- NESS Global Report 2024 Pakistan Volume – OHC2024
- Conference Program
- Download Brochure OHC2024
- SunSaviiour Pakistan making promise
- NESS Global Report 2024 Pakistan Volume – OHC2024
- Download NESS Global Report 2024 – Pakistan Volume
- AWKUM Call
- One Health Congress 2023
- OHC Home
