Directors and managers of research centers for zoonotic diseases are holding a conference on ways to improve public health services and their accessibility on February 16 and 17. Attendees are also assessing related projects carried out in 2016 and discussing projects and measures for 2017. Opening the two-day conference, State Secretary of the Ministry of Health D.Ochirbat noted the significance of zoonotic disease studies and its role in the health sector. He said that the ministry will pay more attention to creating a healthier and safer working environment for zoonotic disease researchers and specialists as they are exposed to greater health risks. He promised to expand cooperation with research centers of zoonotic diseases and resolve issues related to staff training and transportation. Aside from directors and managers from 15 research centers for zoonotic diseases, more than 40 researchers, doctors and specialists from Dornod, Sukhbaatar, Bulgan, Dornogovi and Govisumber provinces attended the conference. The conference will also provide a chance to exchange views on the new National Program on Communicable Disease Control and Prevention, approved by Parliament on January 11, and the third phase of Asia Pacific Strategy for Emerging Diseases (APSED) to be implemented through 2020. APSED aims to build a sustainable and collaborative approach toward managing zoonotic diseases and develop the capacity for diagnosing and responding to new emerging disease threats. Guest lecturers will present lectures on financial management, the use of glass account, guides for organizing various courses and training workshops, communication skills, organizational culture, the secret to success, leadership and more. The organization that contributed the most in controlling zoonotic diseases will be awarded at the event. A joint exhibition has been launched to share experiences and introduce new practices in the field under the conference.