1. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations TCP/RER/3402 (D) Assistance to Western Balkan Countries for Improving Compliance to International Standards on Aquatic Animal Health (Bosnia & Herzegovina, Croatia, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia) Zagreb, Croatia Hotel International 28 January 2014

2. Background to TCP: Technical Cooperation Programme 1976: FAO's specialized competence more readily available to member countries - most pressing development problems in the agriculture, fisheries and forestry sectors, and related to rural development and socio-economic issues. Limited, but identifiable and assured, resources to fulfil one of its key constitutional functions, i.e. “to furnish such technical assistance as governments may request”. Integral part of the Organization’s Regular Programme financed from the assessed budget.

3. Background to TCP: Technical Cooperation Programme In particular, TCP is the instrument, that enables FAO to respond rapidly to urgent needs for technical and emergency assistance in member countries and to contribute to their capacity building. The programme does not operate in isolation, but is closely associated with other normative and field activities of the Organization. Projects under TCP are implemented with the fullest possible involvement of beneficiaries and the maximum utilization of their personnel and resources, and recourse to the Technical Cooperation among Developing Countries (TCDC)/ Technical Cooperation among Countries in Transition (TCCT) modalities, where feasible and appropriate.

4. Criteria to TCP: developed by FAO Governing Body give emphasis to increasing production in food and agriculture, fisheries or forestry, with a view to increasing incomes of small- scale producers and rural workers; be accorded high priority by the Government, which must also ensure that the required local support facilities and services will be available and that follow-up action will be taken; be directed to an urgent and specific problem or need, limited to a particular sector or area, and involve practical action with well-defined objectives and expected results ; complement, without duplicating, other development activities, fill a critical gap and, where possible, serve as a catalyst for a larger-scale activity;

5. Criteria to TCP: developed by FAO Governing Body be limited in duration, preferably from one to three months (in no case should the overall duration of project activities exceed 24 months); be limited in cost, not exceeding the upward limit of US$400 000 per project and preferably much lower, and involve the most effective and least costly method of execution; provide assurance of the fullest possible participation of the Governments in project execution, through such means as the use of national institutions, personnel and resources.

6. Project Categories Emergencies (E) Advisory Services (A) Assistance to Development (D) Training (T) Investment (I) Formulation and Programming Missions (F) Intercountry Cooperation (C) National TCP: FAO and a Member Country Regional TCP: FAO and few Member Countries Inter-regional TCP: FAO and 2 regions TCP facility: national and regional levels

7. Background to TCP/RER/3206 2006-2009 : TCP/BIH/3103 Strengthening Capacity on Aquaculture Health Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2008 (May): FAO Western Balkan Regional Seminar/Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health 2009: TCP Facility TCP/RER/3206: Assistance to Western Balkan Countries for Improving Compliance with International Standards on Aquatic Animal Health survey and field assessment of performance and capacity on AAH Zagreb, Croatia (Sept 2009) regional workshop to develop the proposal 2011-2012: project proposal finalization and processing 2012: approved in October 2012

8. Background to the TCP: Technical Cooperation Programme 2006-2009 : TCP/BIH/3103 Strengthening Capacity on Aquaculture Health Management in Bosnia and Herzegovina 2008 (May): FAO Western Balkan Regional Seminar/Workshop on Aquatic Animal Health 2009: TCP Facility TCP/RER/3206: Assistance to Western Balkan Countries for Improving Compliance with International Standards on Aquatic Animal Health survey and field assessment of performance and capacity on AAH Zagreb, Croatia (Sept 2009) regional workshop to develop the proposal 2011-2012: project proposal finalization and processing 2012: approved in October 2013

9. TCP Regional Facility TCP/RER/3206 Zagreb, Croatia (Sept 2009) regional workshop to develop the proposal lengthy and consultative process identified technical areas as having the highest priority in the region to assist in developing capacity to implement international standards –risk analysis –disease surveillance, monitoring and reporting –disease diagnosis (including regional reference laboratory) –information and networking

10. TCP/RER/3402 Regional TCP Overall objectives –Strengthen regional and national aquatic biosecurity governance and capacities for dealing with transboundary aquatic animal diseases (TAADs) and in the process, improve compliance with international health standards for aquatic animals Expected outcomes: –improved aquatic animal health management and governance in the 5 West Balkan countries to reduce or minimize the risks and potential negative impacts of aquatic disease incursions.

11. TCP/RER/3402 OUTPUTS Output 1: 5 national competent authorities’ have adequate tools to implement effective biosecurity governance and aquatic animal health protection programmes Output 2: At least 20 representatives from 5 participating countries trained on various aspects of biosecurity and aquatic animal health management (e.g. diagnostics, surveillance, risk assessment, emergency preparedness) Output 3: Regional legislative review of aquatic animal health legislation completed for 5 countries

12. TCP/RER/3402 OUTPUTS Output 4: Regional disease surveillance network established and disease survey completed for 3 key pathogens/diseases Output 5: Knowledge and human capacity on various aspects of aquatic animal health enhanced and exchange of information and experience between fish health workers, policy-makers and other stakeholders enhanced Output 6: A database for documenting results of project’s outputs established allowing stakeholders access and lessons learning

13. Implementation and management arrangements Competent Authority (CA) main government institution for project implementation - the oversight or direct mandate on aquatic animal health and aquaculture management –State Veterinary Office, Bosnia and Herzegovina –Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Rural Development, Veterinary Directorate (Croatia) –Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Economy, Veterinary Directorate (Macedonia) –Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, Veterinary Administration (Montenegro) –Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and Water Management, Veterinary Administration (Serbia)

14. Implementation and management arrangements Project Team: National Project Coordinators, FAO LTO (FIRA), FAO Budapest –2 International Consultants –4 TCDC consultants –6 National Consultants –4 FAO Technical backstopping officers Government contributions: (i) assistance with organizing national and regional workshops, (ii) designation of NPCs at no cost for the project and for the entire duration of the project, (iii) dedication of national staff to participate in project activities as a priority activity, and (iv) hosting of the WBAAH Website.

15. Implementation and management arrangements Regional Workshops –Serbia: National and Regional Disease Surveillance, Monitoring and Reporting Systems –BiH: Diagnosis of Disease of Fish and Molluscs –Croatia: Risk Analysis for Movements of Live Aquatic Animals/Harmonizing National Legislation with International Standards –Macedonia: National and Regional Contingency Planning and Emergency Preparedness –Montenegro: Regional Aquaculture Development and Promotion National Workshops

16. Implementation and management arrangements Project Terminal Workshop –BiH: To disseminate and share results and findings of the project and to seek methods to continue regional coordination and cooperation on initiatives begun by the project. National Workshops –To provide information and/or training to national staff and private-sector stakeholders on specific aspects of national aquatic animal health and/or aquaculture development. Precise topics to be determined by individual participating countries.

17. Thank you