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From 8–10 July 2025, the World Organisation for Animal Health (WOAH) successfully conducted the third cycle of its Regional Training Seminar for English-speaking National Focal Points for Veterinary Laboratories in Gaborone, Botswana. This seminar follows previous editions held in Tunis, Tunisia (2018) and Harare, Zimbabwe (2016), continuing WOAH’s commitment to building laboratory capacity and regional collaboration across Africa.
WOAH National Focal Points for Veterinary Laboratories—typically senior laboratory professionals leading national veterinary reference laboratories—play a crucial role in supporting their country’s WOAH Delegate carry out responsibilities related to veterinary laboratories. These responsibilities include contributing to the development and implementation of WOAH laboratory standards, strengthening national laboratory capacity, and fostering participation in regional and global laboratory networks.
Prof. Emmanuel Couacy-Hymann, the President of WOAH's Biological Standards Commission, speaking during the training. Picture © I. Busuulwa (woah) 2025
This year’s seminar brought together focal points from 27 out of 28 English-speaking WOAH Member Countries in Africa, aiming to equip them with the knowledge, tools, and peer connections needed to align with and contribute to the implementation of WOAH international standards, promote economic and operational sustainability of veterinary laboratories, strengthen biosafety and biosecurity practices to counter traditional and emerging biological threats, and enhance preparedness and response capacities for a wide range of emergencies.
Prof. Emmanuel Couacy-Hymann, the President of WOAH’s Biological Standards Commission, speaking during the training. Picture © I. Busuulwa (woah) 2025
Hon. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Botswana's Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, delivering his opening remarks. Picture © P. Bastiaensen (woah) 2025
Hon. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Botswana’s Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, delivering his opening remarks. Picture © P. Bastiaensen (woah) 2025
In his opening remarks, Hon. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture, welcomed participants to Botswana and emphasized the importance of training veterinary personnel to address transboundary animal diseases and environmental challenges. He highlighted Botswana’s strong adherence to WOAH standards, the vital role of agriculture in supporting rural livelihoods, and the national significance of the livestock industry. He also commended WOAH for its efforts in improving animal health and welfare globally.
Hon. Dr. Edwin Dikoloti, Acting Minister of Lands and Agriculture
The training featured a dynamic mix of expert presentations, country experience sharing, group discussions, and field visits to two WOAH reference laboratories: the Botswana National Veterinary Laboratory (CBPP) and the Botswana Vaccine Institute (FMD). Topics covered included the WOAH standard-setting process, laboratory evaluation tools, innovations in diagnostics, emergency management, biological threat reduction, and regional laboratory networking and collaboration.
A team of facilitators preparing for a group discussion on laboratory sustainability. Picture © I. Busuulwa (woah) 2025
WOAH extends its sincere appreciation to the Government of the United Kingdom and the European Union for their generous financial support, and to the Government of Botswana for graciously hosting the training. We also thank the dedicated team of experts and partners who contributed technically to the success of the seminar, including representatives from the Africa Centres for Disease Control and Prevention (Africa CDC), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), the African Union Pan African Veterinary Vaccine Centre (AU PANVAC), the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the African Society for Laboratory Medicine (ASLM).
The next regional training seminar for French-speaking WOAH National Focal Points for Veterinary Laboratories is scheduled to take place from 29–31 July 2025 in Dakar, Senegal.
