© 2017 AU-IBAR. Think Tank Meeting on Intra-Regional Fish Trade in Africa, 2nd – 4th August 2017, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.Introduction

From 2^nd to 4^th August 2017, the beautiful city of Abuja in the Federal Republic of Nigeria hosted a Think Tank Meeting on Intra-regional Fish Trade in Africa in the context of the Africa's Agriculture Growth and Transformation Agenda. The meeting was organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and WorldFish with support from the European Union (EU).

The overall objective of this meeting was to present the research and development findings and outputs by studies under the Fisheries Governance and Fish Trade Projects and to identify policy entry points that will enhance intra-regional trade of fish and fish products for improved and significant contributions to the Malabo goals of tripling regional trade by 2025. The specific objectives included:

• Assess the status of the regional fish trade in Africa and its contribution to food and nutrition security.
• Assess the institutional and policy environment hindering intra-African fish trade.
• Share experiences (best practices, knowledge and lessons learnt) on regional fish trade.
• Identify priority policy entry points and develop action plans for various national and regional stakeholders to strengthen their roles in facilitating inter and intra-regional fish trade in the continent.

The workshop was attended by 57 participants. These include experts in charge of trade matters and Directors of Fisheries of AU MS; consultants and experts from the continent; Regional Economic Communities, Regional Fisheries Bodies and the private sector. The following countries were represented Benin, Cameroon, Chad, Congo, Cote d’Ivoire, DR Congo, Egypt, Ghana, Guinea, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Tanzania, Tunisia, and Uganda. Regional Institutions and Organizations included IGAD, EAC, and LVFO. WorldFish, NEPAD and AU-IBAR were also represented.

© 2017 AU-IBAR. Think Tank Meeting on Intra-Regional Fish Trade in Africa, 2nd – 4th August 2017, Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria.Introduction

From 2^nd to 4^th August 2017, the beautiful city of Abuja in the Federal Republic of Nigeria hosted a Think Tank Meeting on Intra-regional Fish Trade in Africa in the context of the Africa’s Agriculture Growth and Transformation Agenda. The meeting was organized by the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and WorldFish with support from the European Union (EU).

The overall objective of this meeting was to present the research and development findings and outputs by studies under the Fisheries Governance and Fish Trade Projects and to identify policy entry points that will enhance intra-regional trade of fish and fish products for improved and significant contributions to the Malabo goals of tripling regional trade by 2025.

The specific objectives included:

• Assess the status of the regional fish trade in Africa and its contribution to food and nutrition security.
• Assess the institutional and policy environment hindering intra-African fish trade.
• Share experiences (best practices, knowledge and lessons learnt) on regional fish trade.
• Identify priority policy entry points and develop action plans for various national and regional stakeholders to strengthen their roles in facilitating inter and intra-regional fish trade in the continent.

© 2017 AU-IBAR. Communique from the Think Tank Meeting on African Ornamental Fisheries Held in Abuja, Federal Republic of Nigeria, at the Chelsea Hotel 31st July -01st August,2017.Introduction

The Think Tank Meeting on African Ornamental Fisheries was held on the 31^st July-1^st August, 2017 at the Chelsea Hotel in Abuja in the Federal Republic of Nigeria. The meeting was organized by African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) in collaboration with the NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA) and Government of the Federal Republic of Nigeria with the support of the European Union (EU).

The overall objective of the meeting was to share experiences (success, failures and obstacles) on the past and ongoing interventions in the sector and develop strategies and action plans for improvement, governance and management of African ornamental fisheries in the context of the Malabo Declaration.

Participation

The meeting was attended by 46 participants representing the 16 African Union Member States: Republics of Benin, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroun, Chad, DR Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Sao Tome & Principe, Senegal, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, and Zambia; Regional Economic Communities: Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), Regional Fisheries Institutions: Nile Basin Initiative/Nile Equatorial Lakes Subsidiary Action Program (NBI/NELSAP), Lake Tanganyika Authority (LTA); Lake Chad Basin Commission (LCBC); Non State Actors; Private sector; Research institutions; Independent Experts; Development Partners Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO); Also in attendance were staff members from the African Union Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR),NEPAD Planning and Coordinating Agency (NPCA).

Continental Meeting on Veterinary Education

 05^th-07^th July 2017, Dakar-Senegal

© 2017 AU-IBAR. Improving Quality of Veterinary Training for Enhanced Veterinary Services and Socio-Economic Development.The First Continental Meeting on Veterinary Education whose theme was "Improving Quality of Veterinary training for enhanced veterinary services and socio-economic development" was held between 05^th to 07^th July 2017 in Dakar, Senegal. The meeting was organized under the aegis of the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) and the Inter-State School of Veterinary Sciences and Medicine of Dakar (EISMV). It was attended by 105 delegates from 37 African countries. The delegates were Deans or their representatives from Veterinary Education Establishments (VEEs) from 26 countries and Heads of Veterinary Statutory Boards (VSBs) from 33 countries. Other delegates were the Director of AU-IBAR, Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy and Director General of the EISMV, Prof Kaboret. The meeting was opened by Dr. Khadim GUEYE, representing the Senegalese Minister of Livestock Breeding and Animal Production. The meeting was closed by H. E. Madame Aminata MBENGUE NDIAYE, Minister of Livestock and Animal production.

Objectives of the Meeting

The global objective of the meeting was to contribute to the improvement of veterinary training for enhanced veterinary services and socio-economic development in African Countries. The specific objectives of the workshop were:

• To share information on continental strategic frameworks and other guidelines informing transformation of livestock and agriculture education and training.
• To take stock of the quality of the veterinary education.
• To share knowledge and experiences on the harmonization of veterinary training curricula, the development of accreditation mechanisms to promote the mobility of students and to agree on the way forward.
• To propose a roadmap for the establishment and operationalization of the African Association of Veterinary Education Institutions (2A2E-V).
• To discuss strategies for mobilizing resources for sustaining the activities of the network.