Meeting of the Friends of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Welcome Remarks

Excellences,

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Dear Colleagues,

I am pleased to welcome this group of friends and to convey my thanks for the important support you provide for the Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) Global Eradication Programme, with special thanks to the Ambassador of Côte d'Ivoire for his efforts in bringing us together and for his leadership.

We need more of our collective and urgent action to control and eradicate PPR – we have less than 6 years left to achieve this goal.

Since its inception in 2020, the Global PPR Eradication Programme has provided support for the millions of small ruminant keepers who depend on these animals for livelihoods, nutrition, and economic development.

Two years ago, FAO and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) launched the second and third phases of the Programme, outlining key strategies that must be implemented and partnerships that must be strengthened to achieve our objective.

Your dedication and commitment to combat this devastating disease are instrumental as we aim to coordinate international efforts, mobilize resources, and support countries in implementing effective control and eradication strategies.

Together with our partners, including the Joint FAO/IAEA Center of Nuclear Techniques in Food and Agriculture, as well as governmental and non-governmental organizations, we have made significant progress – especially by supporting training, diagnostics, capacity building and technology transfer.

But it is critical that we maintain political momentum and ensure that PPR National Strategic Plans remain a political priority at the highest government level.

We also need to highlight and showcase the commitment, engagement, and investment of affected countries to maintain donor and partner engagement.

Dear Colleagues,

I am grateful to the countries and resource partners who continue to advocate for the much-needed donor support for the PPR Global Eradication Programme. But we must do even more, together. I encourage you all to keep PPR a priority in your respective capitals.

Let's try our best to eradicate PPR by 2030 and benefit millions of smallholder farmers around the world, in support of the transformation of agrifood systems to be more efficient, more inclusive, more resilient, and more sustainable, for better production, better nutrition, a better environment, and a better life, leaving no one behind.

Thank you.