About Us

AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission (AUC), headed by the Director who reports directly to the AUC through the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA).

Founded in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation and fight rinderpest in Africa, AU-IBAR's mandate covers all aspects of animal resources, including livestock, fisheries and wildlife, across the entire African continent. We also fills a unique and strategic niche by working at the continental and regional levels, with the RECs being key partners.

Our History

Established as the Interafrican Bureau of Epizootic Diseases (IBED) in 1951 to study the epidemiological situation of and commence the fight against rinderpest in Africa, the organization today bears the name African Union – Interafrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR). This name-change reflects its broader mandate, which is to support and coordinate the improved utilization of animals (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) as a resource for human wellbeing in the Member States of the African Union (AU), and to contribute to economic development, particularly in rural areas. AU-IBAR's main clients are the African Union (AU) Member States and the Regional Economic Communities (RECs) to which they belong.

For more than four decades, AU-IBAR has coordinated major continent-wide efforts aimed at the eradication of rinderpest through several projects, notably the Joint Project Number 15 on Rinderpest (JP-15: 1962-1975), the Pan-African Rinderpest Campaign (PARC: 1986-1998), the African Wildlife Veterinary Project (AWVP: 1998-2000) and the Pan-African Programme for the Control of Epizootics (PACE: 1999-2007).

With its broadened mandate covering animal production (from 1970), AU-IBAR has implemented a wide range of projects, including the Pastoral Livelihoods Programme (PLP: 2000-2005), the Pastoral Livelihoods Programme HIV/AIDS (PLP HIV/AIDS: 2003-2006), the Community Animal Health and Participatory Epidemiology Project (CAPE: 2000-2004), the Regional Project for Poultry and Milk Production in East Africa Project (1999-2005), the Farming in Tsetse-Controlled Areas Project (FITCA: 1999-2004), and gthe Regional Programme on Ticks and Tick-borne Disease (RTTDC), among others.

Although outcomes have been variable, through many of these projects and programmes AU-IBAR has developed a considerable track record and gained a lot of experience as a continental body providing leadership on animal resources issues in Africa.

Vision

An Africa in which animal resources contribute significantly to the reduction of poverty and hunger.

Mandate

To support and coordinate the utilization of animals (livestock, fisheries and wildlife) as a resource for human wellbeing in the Member States of the African Union and to contribute to economic development. The specific areas of the mandate are to:

Improve public and animal health through the control and possible eradication of transboundary animal diseases and zoonoses;
Improve the management of animal resources and the natural resource bases on which they depend;
Explore investment options and enhance competitiveness of African animal products;
Contribute to the development of relevant standards and regulations and enhance compliance by Member States;
Strengthen institutional capacity and support policy development and harmonization;
Disseminate information and knowledge on animal resources to Member States, Regional Economic Communities and other relevant institutions; and
Provide essential support to Member States with special needs or in emergency situations.

Mission

To provide leadership in the development of animal resources for Africa through supporting and empowering AU Member States and Regional Economic Communities.

Core Values

AU-IBAR has four core values that are central to our identity and what we aspire to be:

we embrace and uphold the spirit of Teamwork;
we are Transformational;
we operate in a way that is Transparent and Accountable;
we embrace Integrity.

Management

AU-IBAR is a specialized technical office of the African Union Commission (AUC). It is headed by the Director who reports directly to the AUC through the Department of Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA).

The Director provides strategic leadership for the programming and has day-to-day programme and management responsibility. The Director also maintains direct communications with technical and funding partners for programming purposes.

Activities of AU-IBAR are implemented through programmes and projects, the coordinators of which report to the Heads of Units who in turn report to the Director. The Human Resources and Administration Section is headed by an officer who also reports to the Director.

Governance

As an agency of the AUC, AU-IBAR is governed through the organs of the Commission. However, recognizing the need for technical oversight and ownership by clients of AU-IBAR as a specialized agency, there is provision for a governance mechanism.

The Heads of State Summit held in Maputo in 2003 suggested the establishment of a Steering Committee to provide technical and governance oversight to AU-IBAR composed of:

A representative of the Human Resources Science and Technology Department of the African Union (AU)
A representative of the Department for Rural Economy and Agriculture (DREA)
A representative of the Science, Technology and Research Commission (STRC)
Representatives of the RECs
The Director of AU-IBAR (as Secretary to the Steering Committee)
Representatives of donor organizations (as observers)
An independent expert with private sector animal production and health background
Other members to be determined to ensure necessary skills on the Committee.

The Committee Chair is elected from the membership to serve for two years.

AU-IBAR strives to apply the following best practices:

Clearer distinction between the roles of AU-IBAR management and the Steering Committee;
Clear accountability by the Steering Committee for the work of AU-IBAR;
Commitment to good working relationships between the Steering Committee and the AU-IBAR management;
Focused and proactive recruitment of Steering Committee members to ensure that it meets the specific skills and experiences required for its functions;
Focus by the Committee on distinct governance issues, rather than mirroring the AU-IBAR management structure;
Provision of induction training and support for new Committee members.

In addition to the Steering Committee, a 'Client Group' consisting of the directors of animal resources in Member States that meets every two years, is used as a mechanism for strategic program reviews and planning. The agenda includes structured, systematically documented sessions focusing on strategic issues for AU-IBAR. Every three years, African Ministers responsible for animal resources meet to approve AU-IBAR's programmes.