Enhancing Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health
Overview
The Economics Trade and Marketing Unit coordinates a Project on WOAH Animal Health Standards across all AU member states. The Project focuses on promoting and implementing animal health standards set by the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH). These standards play a crucial role in safeguarding animal welfare, ensuring food safety, facilitating international trade, and supporting sustainable agriculture. By adhering to these standards, we aim to protect animal health, minimize contamination risks in food production, promote market access and trust in global trade, and foster responsible animal husbandry practices. Through our efforts, we strive to contribute to the overall health, welfare, and prosperity of animals and people across the continent. Through collaboration, dialogue, and representation, the initiative aims to strengthen Africa's participation in the work of the WOAH and promote the region's interests in the global arena of animal health governance.
Latest Events
Implementing Partners
Key result areas:
The key result areas of the Enhancing Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) initiative include:
- Support for African CVOs: Providing support to African Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) in developing science-based comments on WOAH standards. This assistance aims to ensure that African perspectives and concerns are effectively communicated and considered in the development of international animal health standards.
- Enhanced Cooperation: Strengthening cooperation on WOAH standard setting among Africa, Latin America, and the USA. By fostering collaboration and dialogue between these regions, the initiative aims to promote the alignment of positions and strategies, enhance coordination efforts, and facilitate the development of harmonized approaches to addressing global animal health challenges.
Activities implemented so far include:
Under the Enhancing Participation of African Nations in the Work of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) initiative, several activities have been successfully implemented. These activities demonstrate the commitment of African nations to actively engage with the WOAH and contribute to the development of global animal health standards and policies, and include:
- 15th Pan African CVOs/WOAH Delegates Meeting: This meeting served as a platform for Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) and delegates from African countries to convene and discuss pertinent issues related to animal health. During the meeting, African Positions were developed to represent the collective views and interests of the region.
- Joint Strategy Sessions with Latin America and USA: Two joint strategy sessions were held between Africa, Latin America, and the USA to deliberate on various WOAH standards. These sessions facilitated collaboration and alignment of positions among participating regions, enhancing coordination efforts in addressing global animal health challenges.
- Joint Strategy Session with the European Union: Additionally, a joint strategy session was conducted between Africa and the European Union to discuss various WOAH standards. This session aimed to foster cooperation and exchange of ideas between the two regions, contributing to the development of harmonized approaches to animal health management.
- Representation at the WOAH Annual General Session: African Positions and Comments, representing the African Union, were presented at the 90th Annual General Session of the WOAH World Assembly of Delegates. This provided an opportunity to advocate for Africa's perspectives and concerns on key animal health issues at the international level.