The African Union InterAfrican Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR), represented by Prof. James Wabacha, Animal Health Expert, AU-IBAR, will on 28th February 2022 join other stakeholders; namely Compassion in World Farming, European Commission, World Organisation of Animal Health (OIE), Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences, Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, and Four Paws International on a discussion on ‘’Animal Welfare, Environment, and Sustainable Development Nexus.’’
The online event is jointly organized by the World Federation for Animals, African Network for Animal Welfare, and UNEP.
There is a growing, global scientific and policy consensus that human actions can harm animal health and welfare. The negative impact mainly refers to industrial livestock production and wildlife exploitation– the dominant drivers of biodiversity loss and zoonotic disease emergence and contribute significantly to climate change and environmental pollution. Moreover, an increasing body of science and experience demonstrates that improving animal welfare will produce direct positive benefits for Nature and can strengthen our collective ability to achieve the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
The consideration of animal welfare within AU-IBAR promotes the implementation of the Africa Animal Welfare Strategy, leading to better-informed and more effective policy-making and programme development. The strategy also supports the implementation of continental strategies such as the Livestock Development Strategy for Africa, and Agenda 2063, which align with the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.
A substantial body of science supports the notion that animal welfare, biodiversity, and the environment are connected to human well-being. The nexus on Animal Welfare, Environment, and Sustainable Development Nexus is also recognized in the Treaty on the Functioning of the European Union and the African Union Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa, and aware, in this regard, of the ongoing effort by the Member States to seek the adoption of a Universal Declaration on Animal Welfare.
Discussants
To register for the discussion, access this link. https://zoom.us/j/97679744783?pwd=d0RGcW5VR3dBRHd5aVF0QU9Pa1Ywdz09
Access the Animal Welfare Strategy for Africa
Support the resolution on the Animal Welfare, Environment, and Sustainable Development Nexus
