CONTINUOUS INFORMATION Posted on 2023-12-13 11:49:42
Engagement, Collaboration, Cooperation and Transparency to Protect Animal Health Worldwide
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Photo: Conference participants © 2023/Ministry of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry and Dairying, India
33rd Conference of the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific, New Delhi, India, 13–16 November 2023
The Conference underlined the importance of WOAH and its Members in ensuring that the global community recognises and considers the key contribution of Veterinary Services. It also highlighted the need for the voice of the Veterinary Services to be heard in all relevant political fora.
In a four-day conference, the Regional Commission for Asia and the Pacific welcomed regional and international partners, as well as experts and key staff from WOAH to engage in animated discussions on critical issues related to animal health and welfare in the region. The conference highlighted the crucial contribution of Veterinary Services to global health security. To support WOAH Members in ensuring global animal health and operationalising the One Health approach, the Organisation has developed international standards, guidelines, initiatives, strategies and tools in collaboration with partners.
Two main technical items were discussed: Preventing Zoonoses at Source and the One Health Approaches to Addressing Risk, with a focus on avian influenza. Discussions focused on links between these two topics, and the importance of collaboration and coordination to manage animal health risks. The adopted recommendations will form part of the WOAH work programme and should also contribute to the work programme of Veterinary Services.
Engagement from Members to ensure global health
WOAH Delegates unanimously recognised the need for Members to equitably allocate sufficient and sustainable funding to Veterinary Services. They also emphasised the importance of providing adequate capacity building so that Veterinary Services may properly exercise their role and thereby contribute to global health. To achieve this, Members must engage in strengthening the leadership and high-level advocacy of Veterinary Authorities.
Cooperation and collaboration to better fulfil the role of Veterinary Services
The Conference underlined that preserving regional animal health will require developing a regional strategy that creates an enabling environment for cooperation, collaboration and solidarity. This will consolidate regional disease control efforts and ensure the sustainability of animal health.
Regional cooperation and collaboration are key to securing sustainable livelihoods and socio-economic development, and to making leaders of Veterinary Services in the global health agenda.
Transparency
Given the key role of Veterinary Services in prevention, preparedness and response to global health security, WOAH Delegates confirmed their commitment to maintaining transparency through timely and comprehensive reporting of animal health and zoonotic events to WOAH. They also committed to sharing data for prevention and preparedness.
WOAH’s commitment to its Members
WOAH Director General, Dr Monique Eloit, reiterated the Organisation’s commitment to supporting its Members through the PVS pathway and associated capacity-building programmes. The aim of these programmes is to improve the performance of Veterinary Services and the workforce in compliance with WOAH standards. Dr Eloit also underscored that WOAH will continue working closely with its Quadripartite and resource partners to support Members in building the capacity of their Veterinary Services, as this will effectively manage the risk of zoonoses. Additionally, WOAH will continue to advocate for strong collaboration between veterinary, public health, environmental health services, biodiversity and other relevant authorities at the highest level.
More information
Following the kind invitation of the Government of India, the conference was held in New Delhi under the patronage of Honourable Shri Parshottam Rupala, Union Cabinet Minister of Fisheries, Animal Husbandry & Dairying. It brought together 81 participants, including WOAH Delegates and representatives of regional and international organisations, as well as of the private sector.
Honourable Shri Parshottam Rupala closed the conference by emphasising the importance of collective efforts to ensure sustainable livelihoods through improved animal health and welfare, including food safety.
Contact: WOAH Regional Activities Department (regactivities.dept@woah.org)
