The Sixth Meeting of the SAARC Laboratory Directors' Forum (SLDF) was held in Kandy, Sri Lanka, bringing together veterinary laboratory directors and technical experts from SAARC member states to strengthen regional cooperation in animal disease surveillance, diagnosis and laboratory capacity development. The meeting aimed to enhance collaboration among South Asian countries to address emerging and transboundary animal diseases, improve disease preparedness and response, and promote stronger laboratory networks and information-sharing mechanisms.
Key Discussions and Recommendations
During the meeting, delegates reviewed key recommendations from previous SLDF and SAARC Chief Veterinary Officers' Forum meetings and assessed progress made under the implementation matrix adopted at the Fifth SLDF meeting. Participants discussed a draft framework for laboratory directors' capacity development and networking, proposed terms of reference for a regional laboratory technical advisory group, and country updates on laboratory capacity, diagnosis, quality assurance and bio-risk management.
Enhancing Regional Collaboration
The forum also explored regional priorities, emerging challenges, laboratory networking, harmonisation of diagnostic standards, capacity-building requirements and opportunities for collaboration with international partners, including the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). The meeting concluded with recommendations and a roadmap aimed at strengthening regional veterinary laboratory collaboration and enhancing preparedness against animal diseases across South Asia.
