Côte d’Ivoire Reaffirms Its Commitment to PPR Eradication as AU-IBAR Opens Continental Preparatory Meeting in Abidjan

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, 12 November 2026 -The African Union–Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), through the Pan-African PPR Secretariat, convened a three-day Preparatory Review and Planning Meeting in Abidjan, ahead of the Second Annual Session of the Continental Advisory Group (CAG) of the Pan-African Programme for the Eradication of Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR).

Opening the meeting, Mrs.Fadiga Kaly Diarrasouba Technical Advisor , representing Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources, reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to eradicating PPR and strengthening regional cooperation to protect livestock and the livelihoods of millions of African families.

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Delivering the Minister’s remarks, Mrs Diarrasouba recalled Abidjan’s historical significance in the global fight against PPR, noting that the disease was first described in Côte d’Ivoire in 1942 and that the Global Strategy for the Control and Eradication of PPR was adopted in Abidjan in 2015.

Highlighting national efforts, she noted that Côte d’Ivoire vaccinated nearly 1.4 million small ruminants across ten regions in 2022 and 2023. She emphasised the importance of predictable and sustainable financing, effective implementation and stronger cross-border cooperation to accelerate progress towards PPR eradication by 2030.

Speaking on behalf of the AU-IBAR Director, Dr Huyam Salih, Dr Samuel Muriuki, PPR Programme Coordinator, reaffirmed AU-IBAR’s continued commitment to supporting Côte d’Ivoire and other African Union Member States in implementing their national strategies for PPR control and eradication.

Dr Muriuki also expressed appreciation to the Minister of Animal and Fisheries Resources and the Government of Côte d’Ivoire for agreeing to host the upcoming High-Level Dialogue on Financing and Investment in PPR Eradication, scheduled for 16–17 November 2026 in Abidjan.

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The three-day preparatory meeting, taking place from 12 to 14 November, provides an opportunity to review programme implementation and financial performance in 2026, identify operational challenges and lessons learnt, and agree on strategic priorities for 2027.

The meeting is expected to produce a consolidated review of programme achievements, an updated Programme Risk Register, a draft 2027 Operational Work Plan and a finalised 2026 PPR Annual Report.

Its conclusions will inform the discussions of the Continental Advisory Group and the upcoming high-level financing dialogue, contributing to stronger coordination, accountability and sustainable investment in PPR eradication across Africa.

The Pan-African PPR Programme is coordinated through the Pan-African PPR Secretariat, hosted by AU-IBAR, with funding from the European Union.