Remarks by USAID Albania Mission Director Harry Birnholz Signing Ceremony of a $320,000 Grant to Build Avian Influenza Countering Capacities in Albania (May 9, 2006)

Honorable Ministers, distinguished guests,

Thank you all for coming here this morning to witness the signing of this agreement to fight Avian Influenza in Albania. Today USAID and United Nations Development Program, on behalf of the United Nations family, signed an agreement in the amount of $320,000 to help Albania meet the threats of this dangerous virus.

This past week, President Bush officially unveiled the Implementation Plan for the U.S. Government's National Strategy for Pandemic Influenza. The roll-out by the White House of the Implementation Plan is an indication of how seriously the United States views this issue. The Plan also reflects the vital importance of a global response to avian influenza, and emphasizes that the United States will continue to develop its strong partnerships with other nations and international organizations.

I know that the Government of Albania is aware of the international community's ongoing effort in this regard, including the coordination undertaken under the International Partnership on Avian and Pandemic Influenza (IPAPI). We will continue to work closely with our fellow members of IPAPI, the World Health Organization (WHO), the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and other international organizations.

In March of this year two outbreaks of Avian Influenza cases were discovered and confirmed in domestic poultry. Albania was then placed on the list of countries facing "Imminent Risk." Since then, the Government of Albania, with the support of the international donor community, has made a concerted effort in strengthening their ability to rapidly respond to future outbreaks, improving surveillance, and establishing better detection and containment measures.

I’d like to also point out some of the steps that I see as other positive moves that have been taken by the Government; steps that are absolutely necessary for success in this endeavor. The Government has adjusted legislation to be in accordance to international standards for the control and prevention of communicable diseases; they have established a National Task Force as an inter-ministerial and inter-sector decision- making body; and they have established a working group between the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Consumer Protection. Your continued dedication and coordination on this issue will greatly enhance the effectiveness of all of the measures that will be needed to be undertaken in the coming months and years.

In short, the Implementation Plan reinforces our determination to work with you in what is already a well- advanced global effort. The key to this effort is coordination among international organizations and at the regional and country levels. We look forward to continuing and enhancing this global engagement.

Thank you!