Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE)

China’s reluctance to participate in a United Nations project to survey Asian wet markets and other high-risk facilities for infectious diseases from wild animals to humans has been reported by UN officials. 

The hesitancy of China to join the UN project may cause further frustration for global researchers seeking to prevent future pandemics caused by zoonotic disease transmission and have been urging Beijing to share information on the origins of COVID-19. In this article, you can read in detail about Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE) for the IAS exam.

Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE):

• Safety Across Asia for the Global Environment (SAFE) is a United Nations project aimed at surveying Asian wet markets and other facilities that pose a high risk of transmitting zoonotic diseases from animals to humans. 
• The project’s scientific advisory committee selected four Asian countries, including China, Thailand, Vietnam, and Laos, for the survey because they host multiple facilities presenting such risks. 
• The project was launched in July 2021 following major wildlife trafficking cases detected in those countries that increased the risk of animal-to-human disease transmission. 
• However, China has not participated in the project, despite long-running talks with Beijing, causing frustration among global researchers seeking to prevent future pandemics due to zoonotic disease transmission.
• The surveys have not been approved by Vietnam and Laos as well.

Conclusion:

• China’s decision not to participate in the UN project on Asian wet markets and zoonotic risks is a cause for concern, especially as the country is a hotspot for the emergence of infectious diseases. 
• The global community, including China, must work together to prevent future pandemics caused by zoonotic disease transmission.

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