FAO Invites Experts to Join Global Discussion on WGS for Food and Water Safety

Whole genome sequencing (WGS) has emerged as a crucial tool in understanding the DNA sequences of organisms, significantly enhancing the ability to analyze variations within and between species of foodborne and waterborne pathogens. As these pathogens’ genomic information varies across different geographical regions, global collaboration is essential to leverage WGS effectively as a preventive control and monitoring tool for foodborne and waterborne diseases, which affect an estimated 600 million people annually worldwide. The recent pandemic has underscored the potential of WGS in global monitoring and trend analysis, reinforcing its value in technical fields such as food safety, antimicrobial resistance (AMR) monitoring, and water safety.

The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) is actively engaged in initiatives to apply WGS for food safety management. Through partnerships with regulatory agencies and academic institutions, FAO has developed various technical and policy documents aimed at building capacity, particularly in low- and middle-income countries. Additionally, the FAO’s Land and Water Division is utilizing WGS in projects focused on water quality, irrigation, and on-farm controls to promote global food safety and nutritional security. Recognizing the momentum gained during the global pandemic, FAO plans to convene a global meeting on WGS, centered on food and water safety within the One Health framework. This meeting will bring together government officials, public health professionals, researchers, and other stakeholders involved in these critical areas.

The objectives of the FAO global conference include assessing the current landscape of food safety and water surveillance efforts, highlighting initiatives that enhance the understanding of foodborne and waterborne pathogens, and raising awareness of the benefits of WGS in food safety and water management at the national level. The conference will also focus on fostering global collaboration, particularly in data generation and sharing, and establishing a technical task force to compile evidence-based data. This task force will draft a white paper outlining the current state of WGS application and identify needs, particularly in low- and middle-income countries, to improve human and water health.

The conference targets government decision-makers in food safety and water surveillance but will also include participants from various sectors, including international organizations, academia, NGOs, and the private sector. Due to limited seating, FAO will select participants based on specific criteria, prioritizing those with ongoing initiatives, partnerships, or projects with FAO, as well as the relevance of WGS to their work. Applications are open until November 4, 2024, with selected participants notified in January 2025. Travel support is available for a limited number of participants from low- and middle-income countries, with priority given to those from low-income regions.