U.S.-Backed Biosecurity Initiative Strengthens Disease Defenses in the Black Sea Region

In June 2025, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) concluded a major five-year initiative to strengthen animal health systems and prevent transboundary and zoonotic diseases in ruminants across the Black Sea Basin. Spanning nine countries—Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Moldova, Türkiye, and others—the effort modernized veterinary infrastructure, enhanced surveillance systems, and trained more than 900 animal health professionals in best practices for disease control and biosecurity.​