Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Uzbekistan, within the framework of the project “Pandemic Preparedness and Response Using the One Health Approach in Central Asia,” implemented jointly with the Pandemic Fund and the World Bank, has donated a set of modern laboratory equipment and consumables to the State Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development of the Republic of Uzbekistan.

The equipment, valued at more than US$117,000, will enhance laboratory capacities in ensuring food safety. The package includes advanced analytical devices, high-precision instruments, and consumables for proper storage, diagnostics, and monitoring of infectious diseases in animals and food products.

The official handover ceremony took place at the FAO office in Tashkent, with the participation of representatives from the State Committee for Veterinary Medicine and Livestock Development, the Ministry of Agriculture, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as well as partners from the Pandemic Fund and the World Bank.

This initiative marks an important step in strengthening the national veterinary and sanitary infrastructure, increasing preparedness for potential public health threats.

“Strengthening laboratory capacities is a key component of the One Health approach. By working together with our partners, we aim to ensure safer food systems and more effective epidemiological surveillance in Uzbekistan,” said Sherzod Umarov, Deputy Representative of FAO in Uzbekistan.

FAO will continue supporting the development of Uzbekistan’s national veterinary and sanitary services through infrastructure modernization, the provision of modern equipment, and technical assistance.