*EPF505 11/19/2004
Text: U.S. To Help Fund Bio-Preparedness Training for APEC Members
(China, Thailand, Vietnam will be focus of technical assistance program) (600)

The United States will help fund a technical assistance program to provide bio-preparedness training for three Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) forum members, according to a November 19 media note from the Department of State.

The United States Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) will provide $48,000 for the opening phase of the initiative, which will focus on China, Thailand and Vietnam. The program's goal is to minimize the human and commercial impact of public health crises in these countries by improving preparedness and responsiveness.

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the University of Washington at Seattle will be USTDA's partners in the program, providing in-kind technical expertise. The training program will be organized in conjunction with the University of Washington's APEC/Emerging Infections Network Bio-Preparedness Initiative, an ongoing effort connected to the APEC Health Task Force.

APEC's Health Task Force is an ad hoc initiative established by APEC members in October 2003 to address health-related threats to the region's economies. Its primary focus is emerging infectious diseases.

USTDA funds various technical assistance activities to advance economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries.

Following is the text of the State Department media note:

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U.S. DEPARTMENT OF STATE
Office of the Spokesman
(Santiago, Chile)
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November 19, 2004
2004/1240
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MEDIA NOTE
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U.S. SUPPORT FOR APEC HEALTH INITIATIVE
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The United States will provide funding for a technical assistance program to provide bio-preparedness training for three Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) member economies. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Washington, Seattle are partnering with the United States Trade and Development Agency on this bio-preparedness project. The initiative is a companion activity to the ongoing APEC/Emerging Infections Network Bio-Preparedness Initiative of the APEC Health Task Force, operated by University of Washington.
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The initiative demonstrates U.S. support for APEC's Health Task Force and in particular the APEC Leaders' Health Security Initiative. By supporting this initiative, the United States is working to improve preparedness and responsiveness to public health crises in the APEC region. The initiative seeks to minimize the human and commercial impact of such crises.
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China, Thailand and Vietnam will be the focus of the technical assistance program. USTDA is providing $48,000 for the first phase, with Department of Health and Human Services and the University of Washington providing in-kind technical expertise and input. The first phase will include a review of technology and communications capabilities of locality-specific health authorities. This phase will also include an examination of current bio-preparedness strategies. The second phase will include simulation training exercises and the identification of communications and technology requirements to improve preparation and responsiveness.
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The U.S. Trade and Development Agency advances economic development and U.S. commercial interests in developing and middle-income countries. The agency funds various forms of technical assistance, feasibility studies, training, orientation visits and business workshops that support the development of a modern infrastructure and a fair and open trading environment. USTDA's strategic use of foreign assistance funds to support sound investment policy and decision-making in host countries creates an enabling environment for trade, investment and sustainable economic development. In carrying out its mission, USTDA gives emphasis to economic sectors that may benefit from U.S. exports of goods and services.
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For more information, visit USTDA's website at http://www.ustda.gov

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(Distributed by the Bureau of International Information Programs, U.S. Department of State. Web site: http://usinfo.state.gov)

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