17th Pan-African Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) and WOAH Delegates Meeting

The 17th Pan-African CVOs and WOAH Delegates Meeting, organised by AU-IBAR, is taking place from May 12 to 14, 2025. This virtual gathering allows Africa to solidify its perspectives on emergent veterinary challenges, assess progress on continental animal health policies, and plan for the 92nd WOAH General Session.

Meeting Purpose and Significance
Africa's livestock fisheries, aquaculture, and wildlife sectors are critical drivers of economic growth, food security, and public health. This meeting is critical for coordinating Africa's efforts to develop the animal health sector and solve important issues. It comes at an important moment, supported by the Kampala CAADP Declaration, and has high aims for 2030, including the eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) and increased intra-African agri-food commerce. The gathering enables African countries to speak with one voice on global platforms and shape emerging international animal health standards.
Principal Objectives

The main objectives of the meeting are:
1.    Developing and Validating African Positions: Delegates formulate and validate positions on emerging WOAH standards in preparation for the 92nd WOAH General Session.
2.    Reviewing Continental Strategies: In-depth discussions are held on key strategies such as PPR eradication, rabies elimination, and donkey welfare, which are essential for Africa’s animal health sovereignty and sustainable agriculture.
3.    Strengthening Partnerships: The meeting emphasizes the importance of partnerships between AU-IBAR, FAO, WOAH, and other stakeholders to drive animal health reforms in Africa.

Meeting Highlights
•    Day 1 (May 12, 2025): The meeting opened with remarks from the WOAH Representative for Africa, the FAO, and the President of the WOAH Regional Commission for Africa, followed by the adoption of the agenda and discussions on African positions for the 92nd WOAH General Session.
•    Day 2 (May 13, 2025): The focus is on consolidating African positions, exchanging views with Europe on WOAH standards, and advancing the PPR Eradication Agenda, with updates from AU-IBAR, WOAH, and FAO.
•    Day 3 (May 14, 2025): Key topics include the Rabies Strategy, the Pan-African Strategy for the Preservation and Welfare of Donkeys, and updates on animal health standards, followed by a discussion session and the closing ceremony.

In her opening remarks during the first day, Dr. Huyam Salih, Director of AU-IBAR, highlighted the importance of collaboration and leadership in addressing the challenges facing Africa’s animal resources sector. She emphasizes the continent’s ambitious targets, such as eradicating PPR by 2030 and halving food insecurity. Dr. Salih encourages participants to focus on innovation, partnerships, and sustainability to transform the animal health landscape in Africa, reaffirming AU-IBAR’s commitment to supporting member states in strengthening veterinary governance and animal health standards.

Future Directions and Expected Outcomes
African states are expected to have consolidated their stances for the 92nd WOAH General Session, which will focus on emerging diseases, trade policy, and animal health standards, by the conclusion of the 17th Pan-African CVOs and WOAH Delegates Meeting. This forum improves cooperation between regional and global parties, ensuring that Africa's interests in animal health and food security are adequately reflected on international platforms. It is a significant milestone in pushing Africa's animal health agenda, fostering collaboration, and defining global veterinary standards. As the continent strives for its ambitious 2030 goals, Africa's vision of resilient, sustainable, and inclusive animal health development is dependent on the collective will of its governments, directed by AU-IBAR and its partners.