GeoZone Final Meeting

When: 22 May 2025

Where: Istituto Zooprofilattico Sperimentale delle Venezie - Legnaro (Padua), Italy

Who: GeoZone project partners and invited stakeholders

Duration: 4 hours

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Overview

The final meeting of the GeoZone project will bring together project partners and key stakeholders involved in zoning to discuss the scientific outcomes and practical implementation of the GeoZone framework. This meeting will provide an opportunity to refine the framework, address challenges, and explore solutions to enhance its adoption and impact.

With the focus on practical applications and improvements, the meeting will tackle key topics around zoning, data specifications, standardization, and the tools required to successfully implement the GeoZone framework. Discussions will aim to shape actionable strategies for promoting the framework, ensuring its effective use in disease control and veterinary medicine.

Key Discussion Topics

• Enhancing the Model and Framework: Supplementing the existing framework with explanatory and operational notes to improve understanding and implementation.
• Standardizin Zone Nomenclature: Proposing solutions for uniform terminology and classification across zoning systems.
• Classifying Control Measures: Developing methods to classify and qualify control measures for disease management effectively.
• Adoption of the GeoZone Framework: Outlining practical steps and resources, such as training materials and support structures, to help Members adopt the framework seamlessly.
• Improving Data Sharing and Overcoming Barries: Exploring solutions to streamline geospatial data sharing processes and addressing obstacles to data reuse.

Objective

The main aim of this meeting is to ensure the refinement, practicality, and successful adoption of the GeoZone framework. By addressing critical aspects of zoning, data sharing, and implementation, the meeting will provide tangible outcomes and a clear roadmap for the future of the GeoZone project. The discussions and actions from this final meeting will pave the way for the continued success and adoption of the GeoZone framework, ensuring that it becomes a valuable tool for zoning practices in veterinary medicine and disease control worldwide.

Join us in Padua on May 22, 2025, to contribute to shaping the future of GeoZone and its impact on global animal health management.

Seminar

Rationale

In an increasingly interconnected world, the effective use of geospatial data and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) in veterinary medicine is becoming essential for enhancing disease response strategies and facilitating international trade. The World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Terrestrial Code outlines the principles of zoning, which help define areas with specific disease control measures. However, challenges remain in refining the geographic representation, management, and communication of these zones to stakeholders.

This seminar will provide a unique platform for experts to discuss the current landscape of GIS applications in veterinary medicine. Focusing on the definition, management, use, and communication of geographic data related to zones classified under Chapter 4.4 of the WOAH Terrestrial Code, the event will explore how structured geospatial data can strengthen disease surveillance, response planning, and trade negotiations. Effective zoning is a cornerstone of international trade and disease control, and participants will explore ways to harmonize spatial delineation and data-sharing practices to meet global standards.

The event will also delve into ongoing technological and knowledge gaps in the field, providing a space for dialogue on innovative solutions and strategies for advancing the adoption of GIS-based approaches in veterinary medicine.

Objectives

Overview of GIS in Veterinary Medicine: Provide insights into the role of geospatial data and GIS technologies in improving veterinary medicine practices.

GIS-based Zoning for Disease Control and Trade: Discuss how GIS-based zoning practices play a critical role in disease control efforts and facilitate international trade by defining areas for specific health measures.

Data Models and Frameworks: Examine the current state of data models, organizational frameworks, and knowledge bases that support the use of veterinary geospatial data.

Capacity-Building and International Cooperation: Address the need for capacity-building and international collaboration to enhance GIS applications for animal health and disease control.

Geospatial Data Integration for Disease Response: Explore strategies to effectively manage and integrate geospatial data for disease response and zoning purposes.

Technological and Knowledge Gaps: Identify key technological and knowledge gaps, encouraging discussions on research priorities to improve GIS tools and approaches in veterinary medicine.

Standardized GIS Solutions: Encourage collaborative efforts to develop interoperable and standardized GIS solutions that meet the needs of veterinary applications worldwide.

Participation

The seminar is open to all interested participants, with prior registration required. To register, please send an email to fsbettega@izsvenezie.it containing:

• Name and contact information (email address)
• Affiliation and background (education and work role)
• Acceptance of terms and conditions

By sending the email, you agree to the terms and conditions, which are specified below. Each speaker’s presentation will be video recorded, and the videos will be uploaded to the official project website.

** The Seminar is collective and punctuality is therefore very important. Participants are required to arrive at least 15 minutes in advance to ensure that the seminar starts and ends on time. The schedule includes 15 two coffee breaks, one for each session, and a 1-hour buffet lunch. The seminar is free of charge and open to everyone, depending on the availability of the venue. During the seminar, audio and video will be made, which will later be uploaded to the webpage of the project funding the seminar (Geozone project). By sending your registration to the indicated email address, you accepts the terms and conditions of the event.

Please note: Confirmation of participation will be sent only after receiving a confermation email.