Jeonbuk National University (JBNU), led by President Yang O-bong, jointly with Jeonbuk Special Self-Governing Province and Iksan City, held the 2026 International Animal Healthcare Forum (Animal Healthcare Global Forum, AHGF) at the Western Life Hotel in Iksan, Jeonbuk, on October 15–16, 2026.

Organized by the Korea Animal Drug Evaluation Research Institute, the forum brought together domestic and international stakeholders from universities, research institutes, companies and government to share the latest research trends and technological innovations in animal healthcare and to explore cooperative measures to strengthen the competitiveness and sustainable development of the domestic animal healthcare industry.

Under the main theme "Insights, Strategies and Cooperative Systems for the Development of the Domestic Animal Healthcare Industry," the event centered on three sessions addressing global regulatory trends and responses for veterinary drugs, the status and responses to global animal infectious diseases, and the development and application of advanced animal healthcare technologies. The program featured a variety of academic presentations and discussions.

In the first session, experts from the Spanish veterinary pharmaceutical company HIPRA, a Chinese university (Jiangzhou University), and the Animal and Plant Quarantine Agency shared industry issues and response measures, including global regulatory trends for veterinary drugs, the registration and approval of imported veterinary drugs, veterinary vaccine production, and the safety and efficacy evaluation of companion animal pharmaceuticals.

In the second session, overseas experts from the United States, Japan and Indonesia, together with domestic researchers, presented on the current status and risk assessments of major animal infectious diseases such as swine influenza and Severe Fever with Thrombocytopenia Syndrome (SFTS). They discussed veterinary responses in swine nutrition and production and research on feline infectious peritonitis, emphasizing the importance of international research collaboration and infectious disease response.

The third session introduced advanced research and technological applications in animal healthcare, including animal embryonic stem cells and canine adipose-derived stem cell research, quality, safety and efficacy management of veterinary vaccines, research using dog and cat model animals, and needle-free injection technology. The session also linked corporate investment attraction (IR) and consulting programs to create opportunities for commercialization of research outcomes and for supporting corporate growth.

Notably, the forum gained significance by bringing together academia, industry, government and research institutes at home and abroad to share key issues across the industry—such as veterinary drug development and approval, infectious disease response, and the use of advanced technologies—and by expanding collaborative networks.

As a co-host, JBNU participated in industry–academia–research–government collaboration for regional industrial development based on the university’s research capacity and expertise. Professor Cheol Park of JBNU’s Department of Veterinary Medicine chaired the third session and led academic exchanges. University researchers also participated in the forum to seek research cooperation and directions for development in the animal healthcare field.

Won-Il Kim, Director of the Korea Animal Drug Evaluation Research Institute, said, "This forum was a meaningful opportunity for domestic and international experts to discuss the major issues and development directions of the animal healthcare industry and to broaden the cooperation base among academia, industry and research institutes. Going forward, we will continue to strengthen collaboration with local communities and industry and, based on the university’s research capabilities, contribute to strengthening the competitiveness of the animal healthcare industry and regional industrial development."