BACKGROUND :

Historically, international organizations, academia and others have provided regulations, standards
or guidance to the global community (e.g., International Health Regulations, OIE Terrestrial Animal
Health Code, and Codex Alimentarius).  However, the challenge at all levels (i.e., globally, regionally,
nationally and locally) has been in the actual implementation of these regulations, standards or
guidance with the available resources and existing infrastructures.  In response to requests from
national authorities and as a result of breakdowns or delays in global, regional, national and local
responses to emergent diseases, the global community has moved forward to develop frameworks
and advance initiatives that further support national and local authorities in their efforts to prevent,
detect and respond to human, animal and environmental health concerns.  Critical to the utility and
effectiveness of these frameworks and initiatives is the ability to build synergy among multiple
stakeholder efforts and to address the needs of individual countries and communities.