The Director-General of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), QU Dongyu, on Friday urged Member Countries to reinforce global partnerships to prevent and control transboundary animal diseases (TADs), warning they are one of the most urgent threats to global food security and economic stability.
Speaking at an Information Session on the new Global Partnership Programme for Transboundary Animal Diseases (GPP-TAD) at FAO headquarters in Rome, Qu cautioned that recent funding cuts risk undermining decades of progress in managing and responding to these diseases when global risks are intensifying.
For more than 20 years, the Emergency Centre for Transboundary Animal Diseases (ECTAD) has served as FAO's operational backbone on animal health, supporting more than 50 countries and consistently demonstrating that prevention costs far less than responding to crises.
"We cannot afford to destroy what has taken decades to build," Qu said. "The cost of prevention is far lower than the cost of inaction."
A growing global threat
TADs are highly contagious diseases that cross borders rapidly. As animals and humans live in closer proximity and global movements increase, these diseases are spreading faster - from animal to animal, farm to farm, and country to country.
Recent major outbreaks include African swine fever, which since 2007 has spread to over 50 countries across Africa, Europe, Asia, and the Americas; Foot-and-Mouth Disease (FMD), endemic in Africa and the Near East but causing a major outbreak in Europe in 2025; and Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza.
The global farmed animal sector, valued at USD 1.6-3.3 trillion, faces severe risk from TADs. Annual livestock losses range from USD 48-330 billion, with aquaculture experiencing an additional USD 10 billion in yearly disease-related losses. In endemic regions alone, FMD outbreaks, as an example, lead to an estimated USD 21 billion per year in lost production and vaccination costs.
TADs disrupt food production, food safety, trade, livelihoods, and farmer incomes - erasing years of development gains in days. Outbreaks can devastate smallholders, disrupt trade, strain budgets, fuel antimicrobial resistance, and even spill over to humans. These risks are amplified by expanding trade, increased animal movements, and the impacts of the climate crisis.
With global demand for livestock and aquaculture products rising, and with livestock underpinning the livelihoods of 1.9 billion people, the stakes are higher than ever. Aquaculture now provides half of all seafood and freshwater fish. These sectors are vital for nutrition, jobs, and economic opportunity, especially in low- and middle-income countries.
"Now, we must protect those achievements, and scale them up, before the next crisis strikes," the Director-General said.
FAO's leadership and the need for new partnerships
Since 2004, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) have co-led the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs), coordinating efforts to reduce TAD threats to food security, livelihoods, and safe trade.
ECTAD's global network of over 400 professionals has also provided essential disease intelligence, rapid field response, surge support, and coordination with partners to help countries contain outbreaks at their source -preventing local threats from becoming global emergencies.
During the 44th Session of the FAO Conference earlier this year, Members called for a renewed initiative to safeguard this core work by mobilizing resources, strengthening partnerships, and ensuring sustained long-term support to countries.
In response, FAO has developed a new model to close existing gaps and incorporate Member guidance for stronger, more resilient animal health systems.
A new model for sustainability: the Global Partnership Programme on TADs
FAO's proposed GPP-TAD introduces a sustainable approach built on shared responsibility, country leadership, and expanded engagement with regional bodies, the private sector, and financial institutions.
The new funding model focuses on four key features: innovative partnerships; an integrated system for coordinated action; country-led mechanisms; and sustainable, long-term impact. This approach aims to reduce outbreaks, disruptions to trade, economic losses, and health risks - while expanding opportunities for growth.
Through a tiered funding model, all countries can contribute meaningfully, ensuring longer-term sustainability and broader participation by Members and partners.
High-income countries can provide base funding to support those with fewer resources, while middle-income countries can offer moderate financial or in-kind contributions, gaining access to advanced surveillance, diagnostics, and co-financing options. Low-income countries including Small Island Developing States (SIDS), Least Developed Countries (LDCs), Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDCs) contribute primarily in-kind support, backed by solidarity funds and tailored assistance to meet specific needs.
This inclusive structure reflects countries' diverse capacities while reinforcing global solidarity and collective protection against TADs.
"No country can manage these diseases alone," Qu said. "This programme is how we protect our livestock, our economies, and our shared future."
Through the GPP-TAD, FAO will bring together Members, development banks, regional organizations, the private sector, and philanthropic partners in one coordinated effort to reduce risks, strengthen systems and prevent the next crisis.
