Press Release - 4th Africa Animal Welfare Conference

Release Date
Tue, 08-09-2020 15:00:00

From 7-10 September, 2020, Animal Welfare stakeholders and representatives from several organization will participate in the 4th Africa Animal Welfare Conference, which will be held virtually due to the COVID-19 Pandemic travel restrictions. The theme of this year’s conference is “Animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation for sustainable development in Africa: Enhancing nature-based solutions.”

The conference is jointly organized by the Africa Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AUIBAR), Africa Network for Animal Welfare (ANAW) and the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP). The representatives of the three institutions will give the opening remarks during the opening session; namely Prof. James Nkansah Obrempong, Board Chair - Africa Network for Animal Welfare; Prof. Ahmed El-Sawalhy, Director and Head of Mission - African Union Intra-African Bureau for Animal Resources; and Alexander Juras, Chief, Civil Society Unit - United Nations Environment Programme.

In attendance will be representatives of Regional Economic Communities, Directors of Veterinary Services, Animal Production Services and Wildlife Conservation/Management Services from African Union Member States, and experts from various institutions and civil society organizations. Several dignitaries will grace the event during the opening session, led by Hon. Peter Munya, Cabinet Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries and Cooperatives of the Republic of Kenya; who is set to officially open the event. Hon. Garba Datti Muhammad, Member of the House of Representatives of the National Assembly, Nigeria, will give the Keynote Address. In addition, several goodwill messages will be delivered by partner institutions; namely: Mike Baker, Chief Executive, The Donkey Sanctuary, UK; Wolf Gordon Clifton, Executive Director, Animal People, USA; Tennyson Williams, Regional Director-Africa, World Animal Protection; Dr Karim Tounkara, Africa Regional Representative, OIE; and Dr. Newman Scott, FAO Regional Office for Africa.

The conference theme is aligned to the Agenda 2063, which is Africa’s strategic framework for delivering inclusive and sustainable development goals. The theme speaks specifically to Aspiration Number 1 of the Agenda 2063; that is ‘A prosperous Africa, based on inclusive growth and sustainable development’. The Aspiration is anchored on 5 Goals of the Agenda 2063; namely: (1) A high standard of living, quality of life and wellbeing for all citizens, (3) Healthy and well-nourished citizens, (5) Modern Agriculture for increased productivity and production, (6) Blue/ ocean economy for accelerated economic growth and (7) Environmentally sustainable and climate resilient economies and communities. This Aspiration and the Goals clearly demonstrate the interlinkages between sustainable economic growth, natural resource management, biodiversity conservation, public health and general human welfare.

Speaking to the theme, the conference will comprise 8 sessions, apart from the opening session. These are Session 1: Mainstreaming Animal Welfare in Africa; Session 2: United Nations Session-Part 1; Session 3: Food Security and Food Systems; Session 4: United Nations Session -Part 2; Session 5: Education, Innovation, Research and Learning; Session 6: Wildlife Health, Conservation and Management; Session 7: Animal Welfare and Environment: The Development Nexus; Session 8: Animal Law Discussions; and Session 9: Conclusion and Way Forward.

AU-IBAR’s involvement in the programme will include (i) a presentation on ‘Animal welfare Strategy for Africa and Africa Platform for Animal welfare’ by Dr. Hiver Boussini, Animal Health Officer (ii) ‘Animal health and Welfare standards: African Voice, by John Oppong-Otoo, Food Safety Officer; (iii) Discussant in the Panel Discussion on Lessons from COVID-19 pandemic, to deliberate on ‘COVID-19 impact on animal resource Sector in Africa’’, and to be the moderator during the conclusion and way forward session. Which will be done by Prof. James Wabacha, an Animal Health Expert.

AU-IBAR has been providing key support in "Integrating the welfare interests of human and animals in Africa" by closely collaborating with key stakeholders to spearhead the implementation of the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA) in line with the proposed Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare (UDAW) and the Animal Welfare standards of the World Organization for Animal Health (OIE), while taking the African context into account. Among other issues, the conference will deliberate on the common position on the UDAW ratification by the African Union Member States and the proposed Animal Welfare Resolution at the United Nations Environment Programme Assembly (UNEA).

The Africa Animal Welfare Conference, held annually since 2017, is designed to promote dialogue among stakeholders on issues that cut across human welfare, animal welfare, wildlife and environmental conservation.

Follow the link below, to the Conference Concept, Programme and other resources for more information:
https://www.aawconference.org/index.php/about/the-concept-aawc-2020

To register for the conference, follow this link: https://www.aawconference.org/registrationplatform

For more information on AU-IBAR’s involvement in the conference, please contact:

Prof. Ahmed Elsawalhy, Director, AU-IBAR; ahmed.elsawalhy@au-ibar.org

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