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

Addis Ababa: 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.

According to Ethiopian News Agency, the 2025 World Animal Health Organization African Conference in Ethiopia will be held from 4-7 February 2025 in Addis Ababa. The conference will be conducted under the theme “Animal Health for Food Security and Public Health in Africa,” as announced by Ethiopia’s Ministry of Agriculture. The event will include preliminary arrangements involving representatives from AU Member States, mainly Chief Veterinary Officers and Permanent Delegates to the WOAH from 54 AU member states.

Agriculture State Minister Fikru Regassa highlighted that the conference will concentrate on the prevention and control of animal diseases in Africa. It will also facilitate dialogues aimed at creating disease-free countries. Global organizations working on food and nutrition will share various ideas and solutions, addressing the importance of public health and animal health and their interconnections.

Fikru Regassa also mentioned that discussions will cover improving livestock productivity, ensuring food security concerning children to tackle stunting, and the role of animal health in these efforts. The conference aims to foster collaboration with neighboring countries and regional partners to control animal diseases and enhance market access.

Countries will have the opportunity to share their strategies for animal health management. Ethiopia will present its animal health initiatives, development strategies, and best practices for global awareness, particularly in dialogue with its African peers. The previous, 25th WOAH Regional Conference for Africa took place in February 2023 in Gaborone, the Capital of the Republic of Botswana.