Amman, Dec. 10 (Petra) -- The regional fight against Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) gained new momentum on Wednesday as Minister of Agriculture Dr. Saeb Al-Khraisat opened a high-level workshop in Amman focused on strengthening public–private partnerships to eliminate the disease. Backed by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH), the gathering brings together experts and officials from 13 Middle Eastern countries in a coordinated push toward global eradication.

Al-Khraisat described PPR as one of the region’s most persistent animal-health threats, inflicting heavy economic losses on rural communities that depend on sheep and goat production for their livelihoods. He said the continued spread of the disease in the Middle East highlights an urgent need to reinforce surveillance networks, expand access to vaccines, and accelerate joint regional action.

The minister emphasized that collaboration between government institutions and the private sector is no longer optional but essential. He noted that stronger partnerships can transform vaccination coverage, elevate veterinary services, and improve on-the-ground outreach, ensuring that interventions reach the communities most at risk.

Delegations from Bahrain, Egypt, Iraq, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Syria, the United Arab Emirates, Yemen, and Palestine joined the workshop, alongside representatives from the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and key players from Jordan’s livestock industry. Al-Khraisat welcomed the diverse participation, saying it reflects a shared regional commitment to tackling a disease that respects no borders.

He also thanked the World Organisation for Animal Health and its Middle East regional office for their leading role in organizing the event and supporting efforts to unify strategies, exchange expertise, and move the region closer to eliminating PPR.

//Petra// RZ