The document summarizes CASA's mandate-related activities over the past year. Its approval implies that the collaborating center is fully aligned with WOAH's strategic objectives, promoting transparency, accountability, and consistency in its efforts to improve animal health globally.

In 2022, WOAH recognized CASA as a collaborating center, following its unanimous approval by member states during the 89th General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates. Its main objective is to contribute to the capacity development of Aquatic Animal Veterinary Services in the Americas Region, providing them with scientific knowledge and advice in their area of ​​expertise, especially in the prudent use of antimicrobials in aquaculture.

Key points of the report

The report highlights several key points, such as CASA's collaboration with the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) in Latin America on issues related to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) within the framework of the European Union project "Working Together to Combat Antimicrobial Resistance in 7 Latin American Countries".In addition, the collaborating center participated with its research team in different OMSA expert groups, such as, for example, the ad-hoc group “AMU Field Level Data Collection Guideline on Aquatic Animals” and Network of Reference Centers in Aquaculture.

Since 2022, we have been working hard on developing technical capabilities to reduce antimicrobial use, thus supporting the adoption of best practices. Currently, through our participation in various WOAH expert groups we are focused on supporting the implementation of new international animal health regulations and standards particularly those related to the use of antimicrobials and the management of these compounds , which are essential for animal health", said Dr. Javiera Cornejo, Executive Director of the CASA Collaborating Center of the OMSA and academic at the Faculty of Veterinary and Animal Sciences (FAVET) of the University of Chile. 

Likewise, the work of Dr. Alicia Gallardo, senior researcher at the CASA Collaborating Center within the Aquatic Animals Commission, has been very important.

"Just a few days before the United Nations General Assembly meeting, world leaders committed to taking decisive and urgent action against antimicrobial resistance through a declaration. The quadripartite alliance, formed by FAO, the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the World Health Organization (WHO) and the WOAH, applauded the countries for this declaration which emphasizes key aspects, such as the importance of access to medicines, treatments and diagnostic tests, while calling for incentives and funding mechanisms to boost multisectoral health research, innovation and development to address AMR", Dr. Gallardo highlighted, emphasizing how essential it is to have stronger and more transparent collaboration between the public and private sectors, as well as between academic institutions.

Also highlighted is the work done to promote public-private partnerships with the Salmon Council and Salmon Chile, with the aim of achieving the most demanding international standards in the use of antimicrobials. The report also highlights the development of procedures that facilitate the harmonization of international regulations and the active participation of the collaborating center in the 5th version of the Diploma in Good Practices for the Use of Antimicrobials in Aquaculture, which allows the training of veterinarians specializing in the management of antimicrobial use in the aquaculture area.

New challenges for CASA

Following the approval of the report, the CASA Collaborating Center is focusing on its new challenges for the 2024-2025 period.

"Our current challenge is to work according to the guidelines of the recent declaration of the United Nations General Assembly: "A global commitment to combat antimicrobial resistance (AMR), which indicates the need to significantly strengthen international cooperation in animal health, facilitating the exchange of knowledge and strategies that improve the global capacity to combat antimicrobial resistanceThis statement highlights the importance of improving the appropriate, prudent and responsible use of antimicrobials in human, animal and plant health, through the integrated implementation of policies that promote disease prevention and responsible antimicrobial management, which is precisely our mission as CASA", Dr. Cornejo stated. 

As of today, CASA stands out as the first and only WOAH Collaborating Center in the Americas Region specifically dedicated to supporting the responsible use of antimicrobials in aquaculture.

The OMSA Collaborating Center, hosted at the University of Chile, is composed of the Favet's Food Safety (Inocuivet) and Veterinary Pharmacology (Farmavet) laboratories; and the Center for Research and Innovation in Aquaculture (CRIA).