US undersecretary of state hails Lugar centre role as “pioneer” in Georgia's Covid-19 efforts

Bonnie Jenkins, the United States undersecretary of state for arms control and international security, on Thursday said the Tbilisi-based Lugar laboratory of the national centre for disease control was a “pioneer” in Georgia's fight against Covid-19 and noted the US’ “pride” in its cooperation with the laboratory.

In her remarks during her visit to the lab as part of her visit to the Georgian capital, Jenkins noted the pandemic had brought “new challenges”, such as cybersecurity issues related to laboratory biosecurity.

She said by “standing together”, the international community would be “better prepared” to deal with the next pandemic.

The US official noted that building the Lugar centre had required years of “investment, commitment and improvements” on Georgia's part to detect and respond to animal and human disease outbreaks.

The Lugar centre was a pioneer and a tool in Georgia's fight against Covid-19. The US is proud of its peaceful cooperation with the Lugar centre. I applaud the professionalism and openness of the Lugar centre employees, which opened the door to transparency”, she said. 

Jenkins highlighted Georgia had become a world leader in reducing the burden of hepatitis C and a regional leader in Covid-19 testing, all thanks to the laboratory.