Global leaders convened to address critical challenges facing global animal health
The 90th Annual General Session of the World Assembly of Delegates (General Session) of the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) was held from 21 to 25 May in Paris, France. The event brought together member countries, experts, and stakeholders to address critical challenges facing global animal health.
The technical focus for this year's meeting was on Highly Pathogenic Avian Influenza (HPAI), a worldwide threat to the poultry sector, posing serious risks to livelihoods, food security and human health and with devastating impact on wild bird populations. For five days, participants advanced discussions on the strategic challenges to progress towards global control, explored other control options, and reached a consensus on suitable science-based disease preventive and control alternatives to reduce the burden of the disease.
During the opening ceremony on 21 May, a high-level panel discussion was hosted, including Ministers and high-level officials from the European Commission, FAO and WOAH. Under the theme “Policy to Action: The case of avian influenza - Reflections for change”, panelists had a facilitated discussion on their perspectives on the global outbreak, major concerns and actions needed. Maria Helena Semedo, FAO’s Deputy Director-General (DDG), highlighted the concern caused by the panzootic of HPAI, the impacts on food security, livelihoods, biodiversity and wildlife conservation and called for collaboration across sectors to address these challenges. “Only by working together and coordinating globally can we enhance the resilience of the livestock sector, bringing devastating diseases under control for healthy diets and a healthy planet,” she stated.
The same day, in the margins of the General Session, the Pan–African Peste des Petits Ruminants (PPR) eradication Secretariat for Africa (PAPS) was launched. Composed of institutions under the African Union Commission (AUC) and international organizations FAO and WOAH, working under the Global Framework for the Progressive Control of Transboundary Animal Diseases (GF-TADs) for Africa umbrella. As the unit of the FAO/WOAH PPR Global Eradication (PPR GEP) Secretariat, the establishment of this PAPS aims to coordinate and facilitate PPR eradication efforts across the African continent by 2030. “PPR eradication is a global priority for its impact on food security, gender, youth, nutrition, biodiversity among other. Today our partnership takes a great step towards the goal of eliminating this terrible disease across the continent and the world” said DDG Semedo during her opening remarks.
Following on 22 and 23 May, an Animal Health Forum to explore the challenges around avian influenza. The forum, a format introduced for the first time in the General Session, was divided into four themes to discuss issues on surveillance and monitoring for early detection and prevention, disease control strategies for prevention and control, trade aspects and global coordination. A resolution on HPAI was adopted by the WOAH General Session.
Thanawat Tiensin, Director of FAO’s Animal Production and Health Division (NSA), delivered a compelling presentation on the global coordinated strategy for the progressive control of avian influenza. He outlined the key challenges posed by avian influenza and stressed the importance of a comprehensive and coordinated response to prevent and control outbreaks. Following the presentation, a panel discussion composed of experts, policymakers, and representatives from other international organizations took place. “To develop effective control strategies, we must harmonize policies, share best practices, and joint research efforts. FAO works to promote cross-border cooperation to prevent the spread of avian influenza and mitigate its impact on the poultry sector, trade, and public health,” he said.
Throughout the five days, other meetings and side events were held, including the inaugural meeting of the Global Coordination Committee for African swine fever (GCC ASF), organized under the umbrella of GFTADs; the GFTADs Regional Steering Committee Meeting of the Middle East, and the 7th meeting on Regional cooperation between the TransCaucasus and neighbouring countries in the prevention and control of Foot-and-Mouth disease (FMD) and similar transboundary animal diseases.