On November 5–6, the University of Georgia hosted an international workshop entitled “Strengthening One Health Networks: Advancing Strategic Cooperation Between Georgian and European One Health Sectors.”
The two-day event aimed to strengthen partnerships between Georgian and European scientific and professional organizations, facilitate knowledge exchange, and promote cross-sectoral cooperation in public health, veterinary medicine, food safety, and environmental health.
The workshop brought together members of the European One Health Association (EOHA), an American collaborator, Georgian researchers, and representatives of public health and related sectors. A key guest was Dr. Arjen van de Giessen, President of EOHA and Head of the Centre for Zoonoses and Environmental Microbiology at the Dutch National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM).
Discussions focused on global and regional health challenges, disease surveillance and early warning systems, genomic surveillance, antimicrobial resistance, food safety policies, and agricultural research. Particular attention was given to scientific data sharing, harmonization of molecular diagnostics, translating research into practice, and developing international research partnerships.
The first day focused on identifying key challenges, strengthening surveillance mechanisms, food safety, and scientific cooperation through expert presentations and a roundtable discussion. The second day explored how the One Health approach can be integrated into public policy and scientific research, drawing on European experience and identifying opportunities for joint initiatives.
Participants included Dr. Arjen van de Giessen, Amiran Gamkrelidze, Giorgi Mikadze, Nina Forakishvili, Peter Lydyard, Mamuka Kotetishvili, Giorgi Chakhunashvili, and Levan Tsitskishvili, representing leading Georgian and European institutions.
The University of Georgia served as the local coordinator, in cooperation with the National Center for Disease Control and Public Health, the Scientific-Research Center of Agriculture, and the G. Natadze Scientific Research Institute of Sanitation, Hygiene and Medical Ecology.
The workshop marked an important step toward strengthening international scientific collaboration, building long-term partnerships, and promoting coordinated responses to shared health challenges through the One Health approach.
