UN System Coordinator for Influenza Dr. David Nabarro visited Beijing to discuss China's role in the international control of avian influenza and preparation for dealing with any possible influenza pandemic. Dr. David Nabarro commends the Chinese Government for what it has done domestically to contain the highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and also China's significant contribution to the world campaign against HPAI.

During his two days visit, Dr. Nabarro, Dr. Khalid Malik, UN Resident Coordinator in China and representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), World Health Organization (WHO) and UNICEF, met with the Vice Premier Hui Liangyu, who leads China's Avian Influenza Command Center.

The meeting with the Vice Premier focused on the important role that China is playing in the global battle against avian influenza and on ways to strengthen China's participation in regional and international technical and political partnerships.

Dr. Nabarro also met with senior leaders from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Agriculture to discuss China's involvement in the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI) and the upcoming meeting of IPAPI to be held in Vienna in June 2006. China's willingness to assist other affected countries in the fight against avian influenza and preparedness for possible human pandemic were also discussed.

Dr. David Nabarro recognized that the Chinese Government attaches great importance to the prevention and control of HPAI. China has adopted national strategies and taken a series of measures. Great progress was achieved in preventing and containing HPAI. In this way, China has contributed to the international effort against HPAI as well.

The UN in China has been actively engaged in assisting China since the country first officially reported influenza A H5N1 in 2004. Coordination between UN agencies has recently been strengthened under the leadership of UN Resident Coordinator through the appointment of a UN Avian and Pandemic Influenza Coordinator and the development of a number of joint working groups. A joint UN/Government of PR China Avian and Pandemic Influenza Programme is currently being discussed with the government. Such a programme is likely to involve a large number of UN agencies as well as a range of government ministries and agencies.

Since early 2004, the Food and Agriculture Organization and World Health Organization have provided technical assistance in the prevention, detection and control of avian and human influenza A (H5N1) and are working closely with Ministries of Agriculture and Health in China. 

UNICEF is leading a cross UN team effort to develop public education materials to raise awareness about avian influenza and reduce risks of animal to human transmission of the virus.  A number of different agencies, including WHO and UNDP, are providing support to the government to strengthen pandemic preparedness as well as to develop long term strategies to reduce the risk of animal related diseases such as avian influenza in the future.

Many challenges remain particularly at grassroots level, at the same time, much have been achieved in responding to the influenza threat. The government expressed appreciation to the UN for its assistance and collaboration in the prevention and control of avian and human influenza (H5N1) and preparation for any possible influenza pandemic. The Government of China and the UN look forward to continued collaboration and cooperation in the future -- in China and in the international arena.

(China.org.cn April 5, 2006)