Description

The 2025 United Against Rabies Forum Stakeholder Meeting, co-hosted by the Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute (QSMI), took place from 7–9 October 2025 in Bangkok, Thailand, with both in-person and virtual participation options available.

As the global community works towards achieving Zero by 30, this annual meeting provided a key platform for rabies stakeholders to review progress, share best practices, and collaborate on next steps for rabies control and elimination.

Agenda

Welcome and opening remarks

• Opening address: Prof. Visith Sitprija, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute
• Overview of United Against Rabies and 2025 Priorities: Professor Lucille Blumberg (National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa)
• Key United Against Rabies Forum Outputs: Dr Rachel Tidman (World Organisation for Animal Health)

Session 1: Engaging priority rabies-endemic countries and supporting the development and implementation of National Strategic Plans

• Update on Thailand’s National Strategic Plan: Dr Weerapong Thanapongtharm (Department of Livestock Development, Thailand)
• Strengthening One Health digital data management using a Rabies use case: Operationalising a rabies strategic plan: Dr Julius Lufeyo Chiwanga Chulu (Department of Animal Health and Livestock Development, Malawi)
• Update on Africal Regional Strategy for Rabies Elimination: Dr Hiver Boussini (African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources)
• Progress, Implementation, and Coordination under the ASEAN Rabies Elimination Strategy (ARES): Dr Kinley Choden (Sub-Regional Representation for South-East Asia, World Organisation for Animal Health)

Session 2: Engaging local authorities and communities to prioritise rabies elimination at the local level

• Internet of Good Things: Dr Niklas Danielsson (UNICEF)
• Rabies Free Bali Through Local Leadership: Dr Tara Singh Bam (Asia Pacific Cities Alliance for Health and Development)
• Dog population management (DPM) and the Positive Cities initiative: Dr Elly Hiby (International Companion Animal Management Coalition)
• Impactful Rabies Elimination Programs: Building Community Capacity: Dr Andre Coetzer (Global Alliance for Rabies Control)

Session 3: Facilitating access to human PEP, including supporting the implementation of Gavi’s strategy on rabies

• Update on Gavi investment on PEP: Dr Simbarashe Mabaya (Gavi the Vaccine Alliance)
• Thailand’s Experience of Appropriate Post-Exposure Prophylaxis: A Model for Application: Professor Terapong Tantawichien (Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute)
• WHO tools and resources for appropriate use of rabies post-exposure prophylaxis: Dr Bernadette Abela (World Health Organization)

Session 4: Promoting improved surveillance, data sharing and data reporting

• UAR Country Partnership Programmes to boost rabies control efforts: Dr Frederic Lohr and Dr AJ Beron (International Rabies Taskforce/Mission Rabies)
• Integrated Bite Case Management and Outbreak Response in the Philippines: Dr Mary Elizabeth Miranda (Field Epidemiology Training Program Alumni, Inc, Philippines)
• WOAH Rabies Reference Laboratory Network’s (RABLAB) overview of LFD tests for field application: Dr Paola De Benedictis (Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie)

Session 5: Using film and social media for advocacy and resource mobilisation

• How to Stay Safe Around Dogs video
• Animal Welfare Champion video
• War Tails trailer
• Preventing Rabies in Ukraine During War: Ms Kristina Dragomaretskaya, Ms Tana Axtelle, Mr Tim Kunin (Ukraine War Animals Relief Fund and GreaterGood)

Session 6: Planning for 2026 priorities

• United Against Rabies 2026 Priorities and Planning: Professor Lucille Blumberg (National Institute for Communicable Diseases, South Africa)
• Closing address: Prof. Dr. Garnpimol C. Ritthidej, Queen Saovabha Memorial Institute