Ethiopia to Host World Organization for Animal Health Conference of Regional Commission for Africa

Addis Ababa January 15/2025 (ENA) The 26th World Organization for Animal Health (WOAH) Conference of the Regional Commission for Africa is set to take place in Ethiopia, focusing on strategies to prevent animal diseases with a view to ensuring food security across the continent.

WOAH conference takes places every year in the month of May in Paris and the regional commissions of each continent is held every two years at continental levels.

The 2025 World Animal Health Organization African Conference in Ethiopia will take place from 4-7 Feb 2025 in Addis Ababa under the theme "Animal Health for Food Security and Public Health in Africa,"  according to Ethiopia's Ministry of Agriculture. 

The conference will feature preliminary arrangements involving representatives from AU Member states mainly Chief Veterinary Officers (CVOs) /and Permanente delegates to the WOAH from 54 AU member states are expected to take part.

Agriculture State Minister Fikru Regassa emphasized that during the conference, discussions will focus on Prevention and Control of animal diseases in Africa, as well as facilitating dialogues that aim to create disease-free countries.

Fikru noted that global organizations working on food and nutrition will share various ideas and solutions, highlighting the importance of public health and animal health and their interconnections.

He added that discussions will also cover how to improve livestock productivity, food security concerning children to tackle stunting, and the role of animal health in these efforts.

The conference will foster collaboration with neighboring countries and regional partners to control animal diseases and enhance market access, he said.

Countries will share their strategies for animal health management, and Ethiopia will showcase its animal health initiatives, development strategies, and best practices for global awareness, particularly in dialogue with African peers.

The 25th WOAH Regional Conference for Africa was held in February 2023 in Gaborone, Capital of the Republic of Botswana.