Project 109: Mitigation of Risks of Zoonotic Diseases Arising as a Result of Climate Change in Central Asia

Context

Climate change is increasingly amplifying biological and public health risks, particularly in vulnerable regions such as Central Asia. Rising temperatures, extreme weather events, and environmental degradation are accelerating the spread of zoonotic and vector-borne diseases, overwhelming national response capacities and exposing gaps in biosafety and biosecurity systems. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted weaknesses in epidemiological surveillance, laboratory capabilities, border screening, inter-agency coordination, and preparedness at points of entry. Climate-driven shifts in disease vectors, waterborne outbreaks, and risks to critical infrastructure further compound these challenges, including the potential resurgence of dormant pathogens. 

Within this context, strengthening integrated border biosafety and biosecurity measures, surveillance, information sharing, and regional cooperation is essential. Identified through the EU CBRN CoE Initiative’s bottom-up process, this project addresses priority needs recognised by all Central Asia partner countries to mitigate emerging zoonotic risks linked to climate change.

Overall objective

This project aims to address specific global and trans-regional threats to peace, international security, and stability by enhancing governance and cooperation on CBRN risk prevention, detection, and mitigation.

Specific objectives

• To assess the prevalence of zoonotic diseases in partner countries and the burden posed by these diseases in the countries or specific geographical areas based on past and present data.
• To assess and update the systems for prevention and response (strategies, procedures, training and awareness raising activities).
• To establish a regional, collaborative platform for zoonotic disease risk mitigation that fosters collaboration between veterinary, public health, agriculture, and broader protection authorities to create a unified approach to managing zoonotic disease risks at local, national, and regional levels.
• To raise public awareness regarding the hazards of zoonotic diseases by supporting communications strategies and materials on zoonotic risks and challenges.

Concrete activities

• Comprehensive mapping and inventory of existing entities, resources, and capacities, including the development of a centralised database.
• Development of standard operating procedures (SOPs), methodologies and training materials, and conduct training sessions.
• Organisation of workshops and exercises, including regional field, table-top exercise and Train-the-Trainer (TTT) plans.
• Logistical and financial support to country-based national training exercises to stakeholders in epidemiological and epizootiological surveillance and climate monitoring.
• Procurement and transfer of training equipment and supplies to relevant host institutions.
• Develop analytical reports on EU Member States and Central Asia partner countries’ standard relevant practices on zoonotic disease risk management.

Expected results

• Zoonotic risks linked to environmental and climate change in Central Asia are systematically assessed and prioritised, with mitigation measures identified at national and regional levels.
• Methodological and technical capabilities for disease surveillance to mitigate risks of zoonotic diseases (prevention, preparedness and response) are enhanced.
• Regional, sub-regional and cross-border cooperation in CA for epidemiological and epizootiological surveillance is improved.
• The One Health approach is promoted and integrated into national and regional frameworks, fostering coordinated action across human, animal, and environmental health sectors.

Expected achievements

• In coordination with relevant authorities, a prioritised list of zoonotic agents with significant public health impact is developed.
• The prevalence and trends of selected priority zoonotic diseases affecting human and animal health in each partner country are assessed, including, where feasible, correlations with environmental and climate-related factors.
• Existing national and regional measures for the prevention, detection, and response to zoonotic diseases are systematically assessed, including human resources, training capacities, surveillance systems, data collection practices, and coordination mechanisms.
• A study on the in-country and cross-border occurrence of zoonotic disease outbreaks in both human and animal populations is conducted.
• Procedures for systematic, timely, and secure information exchange on zoonotic risks and outbreaks are proposed, drawing on relevant models such as the European Early Warning and Response System (EWRS).
• A proposal for a regional mutual support agreement is endorsed and developed to strengthen coordinated responses to zoonotic threats.