Communication and networking in a regional organisation.

Abstract

Access to accurate information and technical expertise is a pre-requisite for informed decision making. The Network of Aquaculture Centres in Asia-Pacific (NACA), an intergovernmental organization of 17 governments in Asia-Pacific, works on the principle of cooperation and collaboration with the intention of sharing regional resources amongst the stakeholders within the network: governments, institutions and individuals. Networking, communication and project implementation coordinated by NACA in collaboration with partner organizations and donor agencies has been instrumental in facilitating the flow of science and provision of technical assistance to relevant stakeholders in Member Countries. Development and adoption of the FAO/NACA's Asia regional technical guidelines (TG) for the responsible movement of live aquatic animals by 21 Asia-Pacific governments is a major outcome of networking and communication that had been facilitated by the NACA, from 1999 to 2001. Since then, the implementation of key elements of the TG has remained the focus of NACA's regional aquatic animal health programme. The present paper provides some examples of past and ongoing activities that highlight the role of networking and communication in a regional organization in strengthening aquatic animal health capacity and biosecurity in the Asia-Pacific region.