Recognized Impact for Global Animal Health Strategies

The STAR IDAZ International Research Consortium (IRC) – a global network of public and private research funders and programme owners – is at the forefront of driving research that informs and shapes global policies on animal health. By coordinating over $2.5 billion in research investments, STAR IDAZ ensures that scientific innovation makes new tools available and directly supports evidence-based decision-making for a healthier, more resilient world.

92nd WOAH General Session

The impact of the STAR IDAZ network was recognized during the concluding panel of the ‘Animal Health Forum – Policy to Action: Vaccine and Vaccination. Reflections for Change.’ The discussion highlighted the value of STAR-IDAZ’s gap analyses in informing stakeholders, as well as the crucial role of its IRC partners in advancing vaccinology and supporting global strategies. A replay of the discussion is available on the WOAH website.

Global Strategy for High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (2024–2033)

The newly released Global Strategy for the Prevention and Control of High Pathogenicity Avian Influenza (HPAI) 2024–2033, developed under the GF-TADs partnership (FAO, WOAH), outlines a call for transformative research under Output 3.4 – specifically for mass-applicable highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) vaccines and novel surveillance systems.

The strategy explicitly references the STAR IDAZ research roadmap, reinforcing the Consortium’s key role in identifying critical research priorities and directing global research funding to areas that will accelerate disease prevention and control.

Combating Antimicrobial Resistance through Strategic Research

STAR IDAZ is also actively shaping the international agenda on antimicrobial resistance (AMR). The STAR IDAZ research roadmaps for the development of alternatives to antimicrobials and related partners’ research efforts have been featured in several global policy instruments, including:

• The Global Leaders Group (GLG) recommendations on addressing the AMR pipeline crisis
• The first Quadripartite AMR Biennial Report, Implementing the global action plan on antimicrobial resistance, which highlights STAR IDAZ’s role in advancing alternatives to antimicrobials, and accelerating R&D for diagnostics and vaccines

This recognition underscores STAR IDAZ’s strategic value in supporting the One Health response to AMR through coordinated and needs-driven research.

Advancing Aquaculture Research in Support of WOAH’s Strategy

In line with the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH)  Aquatic Animal Health Strategy 2021–2025 and thanks to the generous sponsorship of several partners, STAR IDAZ and WOAH co-hosted a global online consultation and an expert workshop in February 2025. This collaboration, focused on finfish health, identified high-priority research areas needed to strengthen disease prevention and management in aquaculture systems globally.

Recognized in WOAH’s Science System as a Global Research Partner

WOAH has integrated STAR IDAZ into its Science System and Knowledge Management Framework. Thanks to its power in driving impactful animal health research aligned with global priorities, STAR IDAZ is positioned as a key knowledge generator and partner in advancing veterinary science worldwide.

Driving Science-Based Policy through Research Alignment

From HPAI to AMR, aquaculture health and many more, STAR IDAZ’s influence is embedded across a range of high-level global strategies. By ensuring alignment between research priorities and policy frameworks, the Consortium accelerates the development of innovative solutions to some of the world’s most pressing animal health threats.

As the global landscape continues to evolve, STAR IDAZ remains a vital bridge between animal health research and policy, driving collective progress towards a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future.