This week, the 25th Meeting of the WOAH Regional Commission for Africa is underway, and several technical experts from AU-IBAR are participating. Botswana is the site of the conference that is being held from February 20-24, 2023. There are a number of seminars during this year's conference, such as: Africa Regional Conference on Rabies: Towards Elimination of Human Deaths from Dog-Mediated Rabies in Africa by 2030 - Is Africa ready for Zero by Thirty? Important projects and problems in animal health were documented in a photo exhibit.
Many presentations on technical matters are also part of the gathering. Animal health consultant Dr. Henry Wamwayi of AU-IBAR gave the first technical lecture, focusing on the elimination of peste des petits ruminants (PPR). The second technical talk covered the topic of how to get rid of rabies in humans that can be spread by dogs in Africa by the year 2030. This included national policies, legislative frameworks, and instruments to monitor progress. Prof. Luis Nel, the Executive Director of the World Partnership for Rabies Control, delivered the lecture (GARC). A detailed presentation and discussions were also held to address the elimination of PPR across the continent. The topic discussed has been on the expansion of PPR eradication programmes in Africa from a national to a continental level.
In addition, AU-IBAR's Acting Director, Dr. Nick Nwankpa participated in a Panel discussion on PPR eradication tackling issues of coordination, harmonisation, stakeholder engagement and resources mobilisation to realise the objective of PPR eradication. See main picture.
The conference is being represented by 54 African member states, WOAH collaboration partners, and international experts in animal health are among the 130 attendees. The key participants include: Y.E. Dr Mokgweetsi Masisi, President of the Republic of Botswana; Hon. Ministers in charge of Agriculture and livestock; Y. E. Dr Monique Eloit, Director General of the World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH); Y.E. Mr. Elias M. Magosi, Executive Secretary of SADC; Y. E. Dr Mabela Honore N’Lemba, President, WOAH Regional Commission for Africa and WOAH Delegate of the Democratic Republic of the Congo; Y. E. Dr Hugo Federico Idoyaga Benítez, President of the WOAH World Assembly of Delegates and WOAH Delegate of Paraguay; Representatives from RECs; CVO/WOAH Delegates from Member States; Representatives from Veterinary Education Establishments and several Experts.
Dr. Nick Nwankpa, Interim Director of AU-IBAR, addressed at the conference's inauguration in place of Ms. Josefa Leonel Correia Sacko, African Union Commission Commissioner for Agriculture, Rural Development, Blue Economy, and Sustainable Environment. Dr. Nwankpa remarked that the Assembly at the 25th Conference of the International Organization of Animal Health Regional Commission for Africa marks another step in the road towards the development and reinforcement of veterinary services for the sustainable development of animal resources in Africa. View complete transcript.
The Regional Commission for Africa is one of the five Regional Commissions established by the WOAH to handle the particular issues of the Veterinary Services and to organise regional cooperation. A President, two Vice-Presidents, and a Secretary-general comprise the Regional Commission's bureau.
Read more: https://www.thestar.com.my/news/world/2023/02/08/botswana-to-host-meeting-on-animal-health
View Conference pictures
Pictures: @WAOH
