5th APAW Coordination Committee Meeting: Advancing Animal Welfare through Collaboration and Action

The 5th Coordination Committee Meeting of the Africa Platform for Animal Welfare (APAW) is today convening online, bringing together key stakeholders, including representatives from AU Member States, Regional Economic Communities (RECs), international organizations (WOAH, FAO), academia, animal welfare organizations, and other partners committed to advancing animal welfare across Africa. The meeting aimed to develop action plans, establish reporting mechanisms, enhanced information sharing and agree on a joint calendar of activities, capacity building and awareness to strengthen coordination and accountability in implementing the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA). The agenda of the meeting has included thematic overview of the meeting; updates on the current status of AWSA implementation; and proposed TWGs for Revitalizing and operationalizing the APAW.

Speaking on behalf of AU-IBAR, the Director emphasized animal welfare as a core focus of the institution, aligned with the AU-IBAR Strategic Plan 2024–2028, the CAADP/Malabo commitments, and Agenda 2063: The Africa We Want. She called on AU Member States and RECs to integrate animal welfare principles into their National and Regional Agricultural Investment Plans (NAIPs/RAIPs) to achieve sustainable animal resource development.

The Director also commended the ECOWAS Commission for integrating animal welfare into its Regional Strategy for Livestock Development and Pastoral Systems in West Africa and the Sahel, adopted in 2023. This milestone reflects progress in institutionalizing animal welfare through policies and regulations while promoting good practices.

The Status of Animal Welfare in Africa
The APAW, launched in July 2017 alongside the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa (AWSA) and its Action Plan, represents a significant milestone in addressing animal welfare on the continent. However, the lack of direct budgetary allocations from the African Union Commission, RECs, and Member States has hindered the implementation of the AWSA. To address this, the Director expressed deep appreciation for the support from animal welfare organizations and development agencies, which has been instrumental in advancing the agenda.
Recent assessments highlighted persistent challenges, including:
•    Resource inadequacies
•    Limited awareness and capacity among stakeholders
•    Insufficient policy and governance frameworks
A Path Forward: Strengthening APAW

To overcome these barriers, the revitalization of the Coordination Committee of APAW (CCAPAW) and the establishment of Technical Working Groups were proposed. These groups will facilitate knowledge sharing, technical expertise, and harmonized approaches to ensure effective implementation of animal welfare standards across Africa.

The Director underscored the need for coordination, resource mobilization, capacity building, and institutional strengthening. She also urged Member States, RECs, and development partners to support compliance, raise awareness, and invest in animal welfare initiatives. This would balance the need to meet international standards for animal welfare with ensuring the sustainability and competitiveness of African animal products in global markets.

The Director extended special thanks to the International Coalition for Working Equids, including SPANA, The Brooke, World Horse Welfare, and The Donkey Sanctuary, as well as World Animal Protection, ANAW, FAO, and WOAH, for their exemplary contributions to promoting animal welfare in Africa. She reaffirmed AU-IBAR’s commitment to advancing animal welfare as a critical component of public health, food security, environmental sustainability, and climate change adaptation.

The meeting concluded with a call for action, emphasizing the importance of sustained collaboration and resource mobilization to ensure the successful implementation of APAW’s goals.

Meeting Participants
The meeting is being attended by:
•    Directors of Veterinary Services from AU Member States
•    Representatives of RECs (ECOWAS, IGAD, ECCAS, SADC, UMA)
•    International organizations, including WOAH and FAO
•    Animal welfare organizations, including SPANA, The Brooke, World Horse Welfare, and ANAW
•    Development partners and other stakeholders

Conclusion
The 5th APAW Coordination Committee Meeting sets a strong foundation for advancing animal welfare across the continent. By fostering partnerships, strengthening institutional frameworks, and mobilizing resources, APAW aims to embed animal welfare at the heart of Africa's sustainable development goals.