Global African Swine Fever Research Alliance (GARA) Scientific Meeting

The GARA 2025 Scientific Meeting convened at the FAO Headquarters in Rome, bringing together global experts to share the latest research, identify critical research gaps, and address pressing challenges related to African Swine Fever (ASF). The event opened with a reiteration of GARA’s mission to foster global collaboration and innovation in ASF research, aligning with FAO’s One Health strategic objectives.

The meeting spanned three days, with key sessions focused on epidemiology, immunology, virology, vaccinology, and diagnostics. Highlights included novel insights into ASF transmission dynamics in wild and domestic swine populations, the role of community-based biosecurity measures and education in outbreak prevention, and the development of novel diagnostic tools. Experiences of vaccine implementation were also shared, with a particular focus on the safety and efficacy of live-attenuated vaccines and risk of reversion to virulence.

The meeting concluded with a forward-looking session on diagnostics, emphasising portable and point-of-care technologies to enhance outbreak response capabilities. The GARA Scientific Meeting 2025 helped demonstrate the power of international scientific cooperation in tackling transboundary animal diseases, and reinforced the need for integrated, evidence-based strategies to safeguard global swine health and protect livelihoods.