As veterinary drug residues in food of animal origin continue to pose challenges for public health and international trade, laboratories remain central to effective food safety systems. However, significant disparities persist in analytical capacity, regulatory infrastructure, and access to advanced technologies between developed and developing countries. This presentation emphasizes the urgent need for stronger, more structured collaboration between laboratories across regions to build a truly global response to residue control. Drawing on over two decades of experience in technical cooperation and laboratory development throughout Latin America and Europe, the speaker will share key insights from designing national residue monitoring programs, implementing ISO/IEC 17025 accreditation, and applying risk-based surveillance strategies. The presentation highlights how laboratory partnerships can drive harmonization, foster mutual recognition, and enable meaningful knowledge transfer. Special attention will be given to two recent institutional efforts that aim to bridge these gaps: IPSA-AISBL (Initiative pour la Sécurité Alimentaire) in Europe and IPSAL (Iniciativa para la Seguridad Agroalimentaria Latinoamérica). These initiatives promote both North–South and South–South collaboration, facilitating exchanges on analytical methods (e.g., LC-MS/MS), good laboratory practices, and traceability systems in animal production. Strengthening cooperative laboratory networks is essential to reducing global health risks and supporting fair, science-based trade. Food safety must be understood not only as a technical goal, but as a shared global responsibility—without borders.