16th Pan African Chief Veterinary Officers/WOAH Delegates Meeting

The 16th Pan-African Meeting of CVOs and delegates from RECs and countries representing the animal resource sector is set against this context, aiming to discuss and find solutions to the main animal health challenges impacting the progress on the prevention and control of priority transboundary and zoonotic diseases. It will also discuss the main capacity development needs to strengthen animal health systems, to support the prevention and control of priority pests and diseases and progress towards meeting standards and accessing markets as well as safeguarding public health.

In addition, the African regional Strategic Plan for the prevention and control of African Swine Fever (ASF)  that has been developed under the GF-TADS, led by FAO and handed over to AU-IBAR, will be presented and discussed at the 16th Pan African CVO meeting with the objective of validating and adopting it for implementation in the region.  The pig sector is central to the livelihoods of many rural African communities in Sub-Saharan Africa and is strategically important to the continent’s food and nutritional security. Together with poultry, it is one of the fastest growing sub-sectors among the livestock sector in Africa and this trend is expected to continue over the coming years. 

Standards are key to accessing markets globally, regionally, and nationally. Compliance with the WTO Agreement on the Application of Sanitary and Phytosanitary (SPS) Measures, referencing standards set by WOAH, CAC, and IPPC, is fundamental for international trade. While active participation in International Standard-Setting Organizations (ISSOs) is vital for nations to shape standards that reflect their interests and priorities, many African countries encounter challenges in fully leveraging these opportunities. AU-IBAR plays a critical role in enabling effective participation and engagement with ISSOs, thus helping to surmount these challenges. This meeting will prepare African positions on draft standards in preparation for the 91st WOAH General Assembly in an endeavor to harmonize Africa’s Capacities and priorities with global practices, thereby facilitating smoother access to regional and international markets.