By Lian Cheng
KUCHING, May 14: The inaugural Rabies in Asia (RIA) 2026 in conjunction with the 5th Rabies in Borneo (RIB) 2026, which will be held from Sept 29 to Oct 1, 2026 at the Borneo Convention Centre Kuching (BCCK).
This conference is organised by Place Borneo Sdn Bhd together with the Department of Veterinary Services Sarawak (DVS), with support from Business Events Sarawak (BESarawak).
The theme for the conference is: “One Health for Rabies Elimination Across the Asian Region: Collaboration Across Borders to End Rabies”.
Announcing the event, Minister of Food Industry, Commodity and Regional Development Dato Sri Dr Stephen Rundi said this year is especially meaningful as it marks the introduction of the 1st Rabies in Asia, expanding the rabies in Borneo platform to a broader regional level.
“This reflects the growing importance of stronger collaboration across Asia in addressing rabies through the One Health approach,” said Dr Rundi at a press conference on the sideline of Sarawak Legislative Assembly today.
RIA and RIB 2026, according to Dr Rundi, will provide a platform for experts, researchers, policymakers, veterinarians, healthcare professionals, NGOs, and community leaders to come together to discuss current challenges, share experiences, and explore practical solutions in rabies prevention and control.
Over the three days, the conference will feature plenary sessions, keynote presentations, forums, technical paper presentations, exhibitions, and networking sessions involving both international and local experts.
Among the featured sessions is Plenary 1 titled “From Exposure to Protection: A One Health Analysis of Rabies Prevention Gaps in Cambodia”, presented by Dr. Claude Flamand from Institute Pasteur Cambodia.
The conference will also feature Keynote 1 “Roadmap Towards Zero Rabies: Are We on Track for 2030?”, presented by Dr. Rachel Tidman from the World Organisation for Animal Health.
“We are also proud to highlight the participation of local Sarawakian experts in the conference programme. Among them is Yang Berbahagia Datin Sri Dona Drury Wee from Sarawak Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals, who will speak during Forum 2: Integrated Rabies Vaccination Programme.
“She will share Sarawak’s experience and ongoing efforts in planning and implementing ‘Oral Rabies Vaccine (ORV) in Kuching’, focusing on vaccination programmes and community-based rabies prevention initiatives in Sarawak.
“In addition, experts and practitioners from Sarawak, Malaysia, Indonesia, Bhutan, and other countries will also contribute as speakers, moderators, and panellists throughout the conference,” said Dr Rundi.
He said Sarawak continues to strengthen its rabies control measures through mass vaccination programmes, awareness campaigns, surveillance activities, and the implementation of the Oral Rabies Vaccination or ORV programme for free-roaming dogs in high-risk areas.
These efforts, he stressed are important in supporting Sarawak’s target towards achieving a Rabies-Free Sarawak by 2030.
“More importantly, RIA and RIB 2026 is expected to strengthen regional cooperation and encourage continuous collaboration among countries and organisations working towards the same goal — ending rabies and protecting communities,” said Dr Rundi.—DayakDaily
