16th Pan-African Chief Veterinary Officers/WOAH Delegates Meeting Addressed Key Animal Health Challenges
Nairobi–The 16th Pan African Chief Veterinary Officers (CVO) and the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) Delegates Meeting, hosted by the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) from 15 to 16 May 2024, united veterinary leaders, animal health experts. The meeting addressed critical issues in animal health and sustainable livestock management across Africa. This event was key in shaping the continent's veterinary health policies, highlighting the importance of collaboration and unified strategies to tackle various challenges.
Africa's animal health industry serves as a cornerstone for enhancing food security, employment generation, and integration into global livestock trade. However, ensuring the safety and health of animal value chains and commodities remains paramount. FAO assists member countries through policy development, capacity building, and technical support, while WOAH establishes international standards governing safe trade in animals and animal products, safeguarding public health and promoting market access. This meeting aligned regional strategies with global health standards, ensuring Africa's voice is heard in international forums.
Opening remarks by AU-IBAR director Huyam Salih and FAO's Animal Production and Health director Thanawat Tiensen set the tone for discussions on sustainable livestock transformation and One Health initiatives. FAO emphasized workforce development, particularly the role of veterinary paraprofessionals, and highlighted Virtual Learning Centers and in-service applied veterinary epidemiology trainings (ISAVET) as key capacity-building tools.
FAO provided updates on efforts to strengthen animal health systems, including national early warning surveillance systems, lab capacity building, and emergency preparedness. Progress and challenges in controlling diseases like highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) and foot-and-mouth disease (FMD) were discussed. A session on peste des petits ruminants (PPR) eradication outlined a roadmap for eradication, urging collective action from all countries.
The meeting also focused on presenting, discussing, and validating the African regional Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of African swine fever (ASF). Led by FAO under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADS), this plan aims to combat ASF, crucial for rural African communities' livelihoods and food security.
Finally, members received updates on the Pandemic Fund and One Health investment planning. Sessions aimed to align regional strategies with global health priorities and secure funding for disease control and animal health improvement. Coordinated rabies control and alignment with the global strategy for rabies control were highlighted.
In the closing remarks, the Director AU IBAR, FAO head of EMPRES-i+, Madhur Dhingra, and acting Kenya CVO, Allan Azegele, concluded by pointing out that the 16th Pan-African CVO Meeting underscores the commitment to addressing animal health challenges, enhancing food security, and facilitating trade, reinforcing FAO, WOAH, and AU-IBAR's collaborative efforts towards a resilient and sustainable livestock sector across Africa.
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Yanira Santana
Emergency Reporting and Outreach Specialist
FAO ECTAD Africa