The World Bank has approved a $60 million financing package to support the first phase of the One Health Program in Central Asia. This initiative aims to enhance the capacity of the Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan to manage health risks affecting humans and animals. The financing includes a $30 million concessional credit for the Kyrgyz Republic and a $30 million grant for Tajikistan, along with an additional $1.79 million grant from the Pandemic Fund for each country.
This marks the beginning of a broader $130 million regional program designed to aid Kazakhstan, Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, and Uzbekistan. The goal is to protect human, animal, and environmental health through a coordinated One Health approach over seven years from 2025 to 2032.
Central Asia faces significant health risks such as zoonoses, antimicrobial resistance (AMR), and food safety issues. Economic opportunities from increased passenger transit and agricultural trade are substantial but come with potential health consequences that need addressing. Additionally, factors like wildlife migration routes, land degradation, and climate change exacerbate these risks.
Shobha Shetty of the World Bank highlighted the importance of strong governance for implementing this approach: “To implement the One Health approach effectively in Central Asia, stronger national and regional governance is essential... The World Bank is committed to helping countries address these issues.”
In November 2023, representatives from relevant sectors endorsed the Central Asia One Health Framework for Action with support from development partners. Tatiana Proskuryakova of the World Bank stated: “The World Bank’s new regional program will support... pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response... It will help strengthen public health and veterinary services at national and regional levels.”
A significant outcome will be establishing Central Asia's first regional One Health coordinating entity hosted by CAREC in Almaty. This entity will facilitate cross-border collaboration on various initiatives including workforce development.
The initial phase focuses on building capacities in Kyrgyz Republic and Tajikistan through activities like establishing coordination structures, enhancing professional capacities via education programs, modernizing laboratory networks, supporting animal traceability systems, and improving rapid response mechanisms for disease outbreaks.