An international conference on animal and pandemic influenza opened here on Tuesday, drawing participation of agriculture and health ministers or their representatives from over 80 countries and regions.

Themed in "The Way Forward", the seventh International Ministerial Conference on Animal and Pandemic Influenza serves as a platform for participants to share experiences in preventing and fighting against bird flu and human influenza pandemic, said Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Thien Nhan at the meeting.

Nhan said that countries in the world are aware of the existence and circulation of H5N1 virus in the environment, presenting potential risks to animal and human being.

During the two-day meeting, delegates will assess global developments in controlling a pandemic caused by the H5N1 virus and propose measures to mitigate and remove this serious threat.

Participants will also review the current measures to deal with the A/H1N1 pandemic and global preparations for response to it.

Delegates will put forth a way forward to strengthen protection from all emerging health threats of animal origin through the development of efficient, sustainable and integrated systems as well.

At the meeting, ministers are expected to discuss and issue a joint statement that will guide future cooperation and coordination among countries and international organizations in 2010 and beyond.

Source: Xinhua