To reflect the unprecedented nature of the threat from Avian Influenza and the multi-sectoral response needed to combat the virus in animals and humans, UN agencies in China collaborate to provide joint and complementary expertise under the UN Resident Coordinator in China. A UN Partners Group for Avian Influenza has been set up consisting of key UN agencies, and major international donors. The core members of the group include FAO, WHO, UNDP, UNICEF, and the RC Office. Other partners include the World Bank, UNDSS and focal points of other Theme Groups in China. The inter-agency mechanism provides a platform for an integrated and coordinated international response to tackle both avian and human influenza and to coordinate external support.

Led by the UN Coordinator on Avian Influenza, the UN interagency taskforce convenes regularly to discuss and decide on joint UN activities related to Avian and Pandemic Influenza. By 2007, joint efforts and achievements had been made in the following areas:

(1)Strengthening the link between the Chinese government and UN System in China in the fight against Avian and Human Influenza;
(2)Facilitating the further engagement of relevant government ministries/agencies to support strengthening of prevention, detection and control of avian influenza and pandemic preparedness in China;
(3)Ensuring regular updates on the Avian and Human Influenza situation and UN activities are provided to UN agencies and staff, the international community and the Government;
(4)Providing technical backstopping in accordance with global protocols, promoting information exchange and knowledge sharing;
(5) Coordinating the donor/international community and mobilizing resources for more sustainable responses to AI; and
(6)Strengthening UN in-house awareness and preparedness with reinforced communication on Avian and Pandemic Influenza.

In the years to come, overall UN coordination will remain critical to the successful delivery of a multi-sectoral, integrated response. UN agencies will keep working shoulder to shoulder with public and private partners in building the capacity to prevent and control the disease in poultry and humans, and strengthening generic resilience against potential pandemics.

UN China AI Website: http://ai.un.org.cn