KUCHING – The 4th Rabies in Borneo (RIB) Conference concluded on Wednesday, forging a strong regional commitment to eliminate human rabies deaths across Asia by 2030.
The two-day international gathering at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK) united over 400 delegates from a dozen nations, including leading representatives from the World Health Organization and the World Organization for Animal Health.
This conference forms a critical part of Sarawak’s own ambitious mission to be declared rabies-free by 2030.
The event served as a pivotal platform for experts, policymakers, and community leaders to share the latest research and develop actionable strategies for the region.
The agenda extended beyond policy dialogues to include community engagement programmes such as mass vaccination drives and public awareness campaigns, directly involving local communities in the eradication efforts.
A significant milestone was the formalisation of a strategic partnership between the Government of Sarawak, through its Department of Veterinary Services, and Place Borneo, cementing collaboration for the 2030 goal.
This aligns with the global ‘Zero by 30’ mission, a strategic plan co-led by international bodies to eliminate dog-mediated human rabies by 2030.
In his closing remarks, Sarawak Department of Veterinary Services Director, Datu Dr. Adrian Susin Ambud, emphasised that rabies elimination requires a multi-faceted approach combining education, prevention, and shared responsibility.
He announced plans to expand the movement under a proposed ‘Rabies in Asia’ (RIA) platform in 2026 to strengthen regional collaboration.
The fight against rabies in Sarawak also sees active involvement from the corporate and academic sectors.
Separate initiatives, such as the ‘Stop Rabies’ campaign recently launched in Bintulu, demonstrate how community education and vaccination drives are being deployed at the grassroots level to empower residents with life-saving knowledge.
The conference concluded with delegates reaffirming their commitment to a united Asia-wide effort, positioning Sarawak’s progress as a model for the region in the global mission to end this preventable disease.
