Two important international forums marked the agenda this September: the first Global Dialogue on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza, held in Foz do Iguaçu, Brazil, and the 2025 FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation, which took place in Rome, Italy. Both meetings brought together health officials, international organizations, experts, and representatives from the private sector to address the primary health challenges faced by animal husbandry around the world. At both events, Juan Carlos Domínguez, president of ChileCarne, highlighted the joint work between the public and private sectors in Chile to strengthen the protection of health assets, prevent the outbreak of diseases, and make animal production ever more sustainable and resilient.
Biosecurity remains a strategic pillar for ensuring animal health, production, and foreign trade for the national poultry sector. Avian influenza, commonly known as bird flu, is a highly contagious viral disease that primarily affects birds. Its fast mutation rate makes it a global threat, so it is crucial to implement effective prevention and inspection measures permanently.
Consistent with this approach, ChileCarne has backed the Wetlands Biosecurity Program for more than a decade. This pioneering initiative seeks to reduce the risk of backyard flocks becoming infected through contact with wild birds by supporting small poultry farmers with their facilities, feed, education, and proactive monitoring.
Foz do Iguaçu: A global dialogue on avian influenza
From September 9 to 11, Foz do Iguaçu hosted the first global dialogue on highly pathogenic avian influenza, under the slogan “Tackling Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza together: Global science, policy and private sector dialogue.” Organized by the FAO and the Brazilian Ministry of Agriculture and Livestock, it brought together more than 500 experts, health officials, scientists, private sector representatives, and international organizations to coordinate prevention and control strategies.
Poultry production associations and animal health services engaged in an international dialogue for the first time, sharing experiences and solutions implemented in response to HPAI.
On behalf of the Chilean meat sector, Juan Carlos Domínguez said: “Although Chile has unique conditions for food production and an internationally recognized health authority, we are not exempt from risk. Biosecurity is a tool that enables us to protect animal health, facilitate international trade, and maintain market confidence.”
The meeting marked the launch of the 2024-2033 Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of HPAI, developed by FAO and WOAH under the GF-TADs framework. This strategy aims to strengthen national and regional plans and improve international coordination against pandemics and transboundary threats.
“Avian influenza is no longer a sporadic threat; it’s becoming a global challenge,” said Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General. “No single country or sector can tackle this threat in isolation—and failure is not an option. Practical, science-based collaboration like this is essential to protect our agri-food systems, livelihoods, and public health,” she added.
Rome: International cooperation and biosecurity in animal production’s sustainability transformation
From September 29 to October 1, Rome hosted the 2025 FAO Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation, a meeting that focused on best practices and concrete innovations to make livestock farming more sustainable. The conference highlighted the strategic role of animal husbandry in food security, nutrition, climate change mitigation, and the resilience of agri-food systems.
During the three-day event, representatives from international organizations, producers, associations, research centers, and private companies shared experiences and strategies to address key challenges such as environmental impact, animal health and welfare, and the prevention of zoonotic diseases. The meeting put special emphasis on the need to move from dialogue to action, promoting concrete solutions that enable the construction of more resilient, inclusive, and sustainable livestock systems.
Juan Carlos Domínguez actively participated in meetings on biosecurity and health prevention, addressing key challenges in protecting health status, strengthening response capacities to emerging diseases, and ensuring the continuity of international trade. His involvement reinforces the Chilean meat sector’s commitment to international cooperation and to implementing concrete solutions that enable it to move towards more sustainable and resilient production.
Building on the progress made at the first global conference in 2023 and subsequent regional forums, this year’s event was held under the theme “Fostering Change, Scaling Innovations, Driving Solutions.” The program highlighted the fundamental role of livestock farming in transforming agri-food systems and achieving the Four Betters promoted by the FAO: better production, better nutrition, better environment, and better life for all.
The conference highlighted three aspects that make this year particularly significant: sustainable transformation of animal production requires collaboration and shared commitment; the industry is at a turning point thanks to scientific advances, digital technologies, and sustainable practices; and finally, the focus is on practical solutions and action over theory.
Chile’s participation in the conference reaffirms its commitment to animal health and international cooperation, which are critical to safeguarding its health assets, strengthening sustainable production, and keeping its position as a trusted partner in global markets.
