It is our privilege to inform your Excellency that the Government of India will host the New Delhi International Minsterial Conference on Avian and Pandemic Influenza at New Delhi, 4-6 December 2007.
The Global Community will gather at an International Conference such as this for the fifth time since the Conference in Washington in October 2005, followed by Beijing (January 2006), Vienna (June 2006) and Bamako (December 2006). This in itself demonstrates the global concern over the geographical spread of Avian Influenza in animals and the challenge posed to health care structures as the threat of a pandemic continues to hang over the world. Controlling avian influenza remains an enormous challenge particularly for the veterinary and the medical communities. The virus is changing as it moves to new areas, eco-systems and hosts. It may well have become endemic in some countries. Underlining this is the persistent but unpredictable threat to human health. These concerns are enhanced by the apprehension that a second strain of avian flu-previously considered of little human risk-does indeed pose a real danger to people.
The recurrence and spread of such outbreaks can cause fatigue and even a flagging of sustained seriousness across nations and communities which can be catastrophic in consequences when dealing with a zoonosis having inherent potential for a pandemic. Therefore, we collectively need to assess the current situation; the effectiveness of the strategies applied and remap the way forward. The New Delhi Conference would provide us with such an opportunity. The Conference will benefit immensely from the participation of your country. We suggest that your country delegation may comprise of Ministers and concerned officers (not exceeding four) from the Ministry of Health and the Ministry dealing with Animal Health. We also take this opportunity to invite your Excellency to attend the conference personally so that the global community can gain from your vision and leadership. Sharad Pawar Dr. Anbumani Ramadoss
The Conference will be held at Vigyan Bhavan in New Delhi. Detailed information about the Conference including notification forms and the hotel arrangements would be available on the Conference website (www.ipcapiindia.com). The Agenda of the conference will be forwarded to you subsequently and also hosted on the website. A line in confirmation of participation is requested.
It is the endeavour of the Government of India to make this Conference as meaningful and result-oriented like the previous Conferences, which would not be possible without your and your country's participation. |
