Date: 20 - 21 Aug 2019

The objectives of the ASEAN Forum was to review progress in enhancing diagnostic capacity in the ASEAN member countries (including progress through the ASEAN Regional Diagnostic Network Project), identify regional gaps, assess global and discipline-specific technical developments, re-assess needs and propose future directions.

The Forum will assist in the preparation of a proposal for a Phase III of the ARDN Project. The Forum will also provide an important means of evaluating ASEAN Regional Diagnostic Network Project outcomes.

The Forum Program includes:

• Overview of the ARDN Project and related cooperation projects
• Presentation and discussions on diagnostic methods, including molecular approaches and remote microscopy
• Presentations and discussion on developing diagnostic proficiency and certification of diagnostic laboratories
• Session on the role of diagnostics in recent invasive and outbreaks by plant pests such as fall army worm and Panama disease on bananas
• Presentation on modern approaches to diagnostics to screen planting materials in post-entry quarantine facilities
• New Zealand experiences in providing diagnostic services

The Forum also discussed (in small groups and in plenary sessions) the following topics:

• Your country’s diagnostic strengths
• Capability gaps or weaknesses
• Improving and sustaining networking of diagnostic expertise
• Examples of alumni of ARDN activities passing their knowledge to others in their own country
• Challenges of alumni of ARDN activities who wish to further their studies
• Locations or situations where remote microscopy is used in your country; and impediments to using this kind of technology
• What ASEAN universities can do to improve capacity in diagnostics of plant pests
• Opportunities and challenges for barcoding, LAMP and other molecular technologies
• Post-entry quarantine diagnostics, biosensors in quarantine and priorities for ASEAN
• Preparing diagnostic capacity for new and emerging threats
• Demonstrating proficiency

Documents