18th Pan-African Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) / WOAH Delegates Meeting

The 18th Pan-African CVO / WOAH Delegates Meeting, scheduled for 4–6 May 2026 (virtual), will convene Africa’s top veterinary leaders at a critical moment for the continent’s agrifood systems, trade, and resilience agenda.

Organised by AU-IBAR, the meeting will serve as a strategic coordination platform ahead of the 93rd WOAH General Session, enabling African countries to align positions on key global animal health standards, including biosecurity, trade in animal commodities, animal welfare, and priority diseases.

Beyond technical discussions, the meeting will address continental priorities such as transboundary animal disease control, the Pan-African PPR eradication programme, antimicrobial resistance, Digital One Health systems, and pandemic preparedness; areas central to Africa’s food security and economic transformation.

This meeting comes as Africa intensifies efforts to expand agrifood trade, strengthen SPS systems, and mobilise investment under the CAADP agenda. It offers a timely opportunity to consolidate the African voice, strengthen coordination, and position veterinary services as a core driver of transformation across the animal resources sector.

Strong veterinary leadership is foundational to Africa’s food security, trade competitiveness, and resilience.