From 17 to 21 September, Georgia is hosting the 28th Regional Conference of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE). About 120 delegates from 53 countries are participating in this conference during which animal health, well-being and food safety issues will be discussed. In addition, recommendations for the epidemiological well-being of the region will be developed that will be finalized in May 2019 at the OIE Delegates' International Assembly.

One of the committee meetings of the OIE Conference will address challenges related to the implementation of the National Animal Identification and traceability System (NAITS). The process of moving to a new, improved model of NAITS has been ongoing since 2016 with the financial support of Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation and Austrian Development Agency. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) is implementing this project along with the National Food Agency.

Olivier Burki, Regional Director of the Swiss Cooperation Office in the South Caucasus, focused on the identification and registration program in his welcome speech. According to him, the identification program is of special significance not only for Georgia but for the whole region.

“The modern system of animal identification and traceability is being introduced in Georgia and we, the Swiss Cooperation Office, are pleased to be involved in this process with our partners, the Austrian Cooperation Agency and FAO and help the Georgian leadership in this important initiative. I would also like to mention the involvement, technical assistance of Swiss Federal Food Safety and Veterinary Office in the implementation of the project and their experts' participation in this conference. Along with the National Food Agency and the Ministry of Environment Protection and Agriculture of Georgia, we will continue to work in this direction in the future too,” Burki said.

During working meetings over four days delegates will be able to communicate directly with OIE experts and discuss all the issues that are crucial in dealing with countries or other trading partners in the region.

“The working topics of the OIE international conference concern animal health and well-being, including identification and registration, which ensure traceability of animal products and therefore are the basis of food safety. OIE's conference allows us to provide information to our major trading partners with regard to animal health situation and to get some recommendations from international experts on all the issues, which will ultimately have a positive effect on the country's export potential,” said Mikheil Sokhadze, the head of FAO's NAITS project.

The OIE was founded in 1924. Its main purpose is to collect, process, plan prevention measures, and to prepare relevant recommendations on animal diseases (including those transmitted to humans). All requirements and regulations of the EU and World Trade Organization (WTO) related to animal health are based on OIE's export recommendations.

It is the first time that Georgia is hosting such a high-level conference under the auspices of OIE. Cultural events are also planned during visit, enabling the guests to get acquainted with Georgian culture and traditions.