It is my great privilege to welcome you all to the 31st Annual Scientific Conference (ASCon XXXI) of the Bangladesh Society for Veterinary Education and Research (BSVER), taking place on February 1st and 2nd, 2025, at the Bangladesh Agricultural University (BAU), Mymensingh campus. This year, we are focusing on a critical and timely demand theme of the conference “Climate Change: Animal Health and Food Safety.” The theme highlights the growing challenges faced by the veterinary professionals as climate change continues to affect global ecosystems, livestock health and food security.
The intersection of climate change with animal health and food safety has become one of the most pressing issues of time. As the planet experiences rising temperatures, changing precipitation patterns, and extreme weather events, these shifts have direct and indirect effects on livestock health, disease transmission and the safety of food supplies. These changes create new risks and uncertainties, which demand a collective response from veterinarians and other professionals involved in “One Health” initiatives.
One Health, a holistic approach to health that recognizes the interconnectedness of humans, animals, and the environment, is more important than ever. Veterinarians, with their unique expertise, are at the forefront of addressing climate-related impacts on animal health, disease surveillance, and public health. The changing climate influences on the behavior of pathogens and vectors, increasing the risk of zoonotic diseases, which are diseases that can be transmitted from animals to humans. Understanding and addressing these risks are critical for protecting both human and animal populations and ensuring the safety of our food systems. The role of veterinarians extends from disease control to prevention and also essential in developing sustainable practices for animal agriculture that mitigate the negative effects of climate changes. As the world grapples with these environmental challenges, veterinarians must help to design innovative solutions to ensure the health and welfare of livestock, reducing the carbon footprint on farming, maintaining safety and security of food from animal origin.
This conference provides an important platform for academicians, scientists, policymakers, practitioners, and students to come together and share their insights on these urgent matters. It is my firm belief that the exchange of knowledge, experiences, and strategies at this gathering will help us to move closer to achieving sustainable solutions for animal health, food safety and the overall wellbeing of our ecosystems. I encourage all participants to engage themselves fulltime in the inaugural and scientific sessions, discussions, and collaborative opportunities offered during this conference. Your contributions will be inevitable as we explore the complex relationships among climate change, animal health and food safety.
I would like to extend my deepest sense of gratitude to all the distinguished guests, speakers, sponsors and electronic and print media who have made this conference possible. Special thanks to the organizing committee and volunteers who made tireless efforts to success this event. I wish you all a productive and insightful conference and hope you enjoy your valued time at the beautiful BAU campus. Together, let us take meaningful steps toward a sustainable future for animal health and food safety for better management of human and environmental health.

 Prof. Dr. Md. Alimul Islam
 President, BSVER